CFB51 College Football Fan Community

The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: betarhoalphadelta on May 01, 2025, 05:30:23 PM

Title: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 01, 2025, 05:30:23 PM
These days, it might seem like good news is in short supply... So my question... What made you happy today?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 01, 2025, 05:34:54 PM
setting up a lunch meeting with a potential customer for tomorrow
and setting up meetings for next week in South Dakota
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 01, 2025, 05:36:16 PM
I woke up 6:30 ish, made coffee, woke up some more, read and posted here.

My wife and I took a trip to a nearby state park and walked the trails about three miles or so.  We had a decent lunch at a BBQ place, got stuck in traffic a bit.  The world didn't end, no meteors hit, Trump didn't declare martial law, I didn't get deported.  I wrote some in my book, trying to get that restarted, had some pretty OK ideas earlier about where to go with plot.  I've had no alcohol since Sunday.  I may take a nap.

I'm not broke, all my kids seem to be doing well, the ones I know about anyway.  Some of them are planning to come visit us this year here, and in Hawaii, which is nice.  I get along particularly well with my stepson, we seem to understand each other pretty well, and he can fix about anything from a computer to a light switch to a car.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 01, 2025, 05:38:59 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/73fDYBn.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 01, 2025, 05:40:53 PM
It wasn't today, but last night just after dusk I was doing driving lessons with my 15 yo son.  He nicely asked his sister if he could borrow her convertible for the exercise, and she conceded as long as I agreed to fill up her tank. :)

There were storms about 10-15 miles out and the weather had just cooled, with big clouds off to the side but not directly above, with a lot of sheet lightning mixed in between them.  We had the top down and were just cruising the streets out in my part of suburbia, almost no other cars on the road.  And my son said, "Dad, I think this is going to be one of those memories I'll have forever."
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 01, 2025, 05:48:31 PM
I won't go deep into details, but today was our internal company all-hands the day after earnings. 

Our CEO was asked a question that was right in the wheelhouse of a topic I've published about, and his response basically quoted a portion of what I wrote. I know he'd been apprised of it, so I don't consider this accidental or coincidental, like he came up with the response on the fly. And a couple of colleagues agree. 

It seems to coincide with some exciting job opportunities that I've just been given (i.e. voluntold I'm about to be doing lol), which makes me again think I've been positively noticed. 

(https://i.imgur.com/Ag6Z2zM.png)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 01, 2025, 07:59:25 PM
My son called me on the way home, and I got to the house, changed clothes, and grabbed the airpods. 

Went out while chatting, skimmed the pool, checked my chemicals, then sat in a chair —- continued to chat, and watched the blue birds and cardinals eat from my bird feeders.

72 degrees and breezy.  Nice. 

Edit: to add, my Dobie and Dobie mix laying on the deck at my feet, also enjoying the nice evening.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: longhorn320 on May 02, 2025, 02:16:25 AM
It wasn't today, but last night just after dusk I was doing driving lessons with my 15 yo son.  He nicely asked his sister if he could borrow her convertible for the exercise, and she conceded as long as I agreed to fill up her tank. :)

There were storms about 10-15 miles out and the weather had just cooled, with big clouds off to the side but not directly above, with a lot of sheet lightning mixed in between them.  We had the top down and were just cruising the streets out in my part of suburbia, almost no other cars on the road.  And my son said, "Dad, I think this is going to be one of those memories I'll have forever."
Thats cool.  You should treasure this period in your life.  Time goes by so quickly.  Seems like yesterday when I would go out on driver traing trips with my son.  Just another thing no one ever tells you about being a parent.  I must have done a pretty good job cause hes never been in an accident or even goitten a ticket.  Hell I probably had at least 10 by the time I graduated UT.  Course Id never tell him that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 02, 2025, 07:31:05 AM
Yesterday I heard my boss caught his tie in the paper shredder

And when I got home from work I practically hand fed the robbins which has been a spring/summer ritual since '01. Also spread out seed,chopped dried fruits - raisins/figs/dates/prunes/cranberries and anything I can scupper together around the back yard and watch small parties of cardinals,doves,sparrows,chickadees and host of others I recognize but can't identify emerge from the woods/park and have at it
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 07:45:18 AM
This is an important thing to try and do daily, I think.  We often take so much for granted.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 02, 2025, 07:46:22 AM
I woke up.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 02, 2025, 07:47:07 AM
It wasn't today, but last night just after dusk I was doing driving lessons with my 15 yo son.  He nicely asked his sister if he could borrow her convertible for the exercise, and she conceded as long as I agreed to fill up her tank. :)

There were storms about 10-15 miles out and the weather had just cooled, with big clouds off to the side but not directly above, with a lot of sheet lightning mixed in between them.  We had the top down and were just cruising the streets out in my part of suburbia, almost no other cars on the road.  And my son said, "Dad, I think this is going to be one of those memories I'll have forever."

Reading this reminded me of my boys and myself.  Ans this little diddy popped in my head.  

https://youtu.be/1epFa69A2nk?si=zSl9MxKgawPldiE2
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 02, 2025, 07:50:31 AM
I woke up.
and had myself a Be-e-e-r
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 02, 2025, 07:52:20 AM
Amen, brother
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 08:18:05 AM
So, I've had no alcohol since Sunday, and supposedly I'm "allowed" some this evening.  I'm thinking of avoiding it again.  It's not that I feel terrific this morning, I feel fine after drinking some.  I find abstinence easier han moderation.

I stopped losing weight which isn't great but it's only been a few days.  I hoped to knock of another pound anyway.  I guess it takes longer.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 08:27:40 AM
Some neighborhood news made me "happy" of late.  There has been a 4 acre hold in the ground in a prime commercial spot near us.  It was supposed to be a high rise luxo condo building, they built a fancy sales center years ago and then ... hole in the ground.  The Midtown Alliance has bought the property and plans to make a park out of it.  It'll take a while of course, but it's better than the hole.

Then the Piedmont Park folks have announced a $150-170 million upgrade to the park.  That's a chunk of change, what they are showing looks pretty good, we go there regularly.

Then the botanical garden which is adjacent announced a big expansion a year or so back that looks fabulous.  They bought up 23 acres of junky stuff between the current park and the Beltline and plan a new entrance and various features.

Three rather large new apartment buildings are about to open hopefully soon with some restaurants in the ground floors.  There are more "planned" but only two now are UC, one is pretty tall for this area.  It's at about 40 stories now, to be finished next year, hopefully with interesting stuff at street level.

So, the 'hood seems to be advancing, which is good.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 02, 2025, 09:17:06 AM
Having asked the question yesterday, what made me happy that day....

Well, probably not what you're looking for, but I have a rx for Tramadol which I hardly ever take, for a number of reasons.  Yesterday morning was atypically rough, so I popped one.  I forget that in addition to being a pain med it's also a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor.  It can cause me general happiness for no reason, which it did for most of the day.  

I decided I was probably just going to do drugs from here on out.  Maybe find a meth dealer or something.  Our grocery bill would go down quite a bit, which might make me even happier.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 02, 2025, 09:20:57 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/zx41HX7.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 02, 2025, 10:32:07 AM
Extension from yesterday that someone mentioned to me but I forgot to look at...

On my company's web site main page, the big banner at the very front and center links to... My white paper (that the CEO quoted). 

But even beyond that, there's a section farther down with four tiles of content. One is a white paper I wrote. One is a tech brief that was existing but I rewrote and modernized to keep up with more recent innovations. And one is an innovation web site that was championed by a coworker but I'm probably 1/3 responsible for the content. 

Not bad :)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: CatsbyAZ on May 02, 2025, 10:35:35 AM
What made you happy today?

Sent a postcard to my friend Joe (and his wife).

Outside of immediate family, no one has been a longer term friend than Joe. We go back over twenty years, to our adolescent days in Texas. An untold aspect of friendship is how well friendships can age without either party realizing it until a decade or so goes by. And that quality of  time going by becomes a point of strength in the friendship.

(https://i.imgur.com/QrQpcNt.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/oNGt2KQ.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 02, 2025, 10:41:34 AM
Extension from yesterday that someone mentioned to me but I forgot to look at...

On my company's web site main page, the big banner at the very front and center links to... My white paper (that the CEO quoted).

But even beyond that, there's a section farther down with four tiles of content. One is a white paper I wrote. One is a tech brief that was existing but I rewrote and modernized to keep up with more recent innovations. And one is an innovation web site that was championed by a coworker but I'm probably 1/3 responsible for the content.

Not bad :)
Awesome, good news.

In a few months after I'm replaced by AI, any chance you're hiring?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 02, 2025, 10:49:09 AM
Extension from yesterday that someone mentioned to me but I forgot to look at...

On my company's web site main page, the big banner at the very front and center links to... My white paper (that the CEO quoted).

But even beyond that, there's a section farther down with four tiles of content. One is a white paper I wrote. One is a tech brief that was existing but I rewrote and modernized to keep up with more recent innovations. And one is an innovation web site that was championed by a coworker but I'm probably 1/3 responsible for the content.

Not bad :)

Pulled them up to read them, but since white papers often have unlisted authors and these are no different, how I do know it's really you if it doesn't say "BRAD! dammit!" at the top?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 02, 2025, 11:05:33 AM
Pulled them up to read them, but since white papers often have unlisted authors and these are no different, how I do know it's really you if it doesn't say "BRAD! dammit!" at the top?
You'll just have to take my word for it.

Or you can read it and realize that's it's so long-winded that it could be nobody other than me :57:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 02, 2025, 11:13:51 AM
You'll just have to take my word for it.

Or you can read it and realize that's it's so long-winded that it could be nobody other than me :57:

I don't know, that would make me think @medinabuckeye1 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1547) might have written them... ;)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 12:28:22 PM
My wife c=accumulated a bunch of Delta FF miles.  She told me she wanted to use them to fly her son and GF to Hawaii in December (to meet us).  I said "I doubt he accepts."

She told me today he accepted her offer to fly them here in August, which they had already planned.  She said they try and fly on United and there were not any good deals.  So, she was pretty giddy about it.  Simple things.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 02, 2025, 12:44:31 PM
Saving money always makes me happy 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 12:56:25 PM
She was happy to be spending "money" or value of a sort, by being able to do something for her child.  I suspect all of us who have children understand that.

He's a super "kid".  (He's not a kid of course.)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 02, 2025, 02:01:39 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rml4CQUVpqM
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 02, 2025, 02:16:41 PM
Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=ohio+state+georgia+game&&mid=41E82170F62A3F6CA44241E82170F62A3F6CA442&FORM=VAMGZC)

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=ohio+state+georgia+game&&mid=01A73EAA7AF8B401BC3D01A73EAA7AF8B401BC3D&FORM=VAMGZC)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 02, 2025, 08:16:57 PM
She was happy to be spending "money" or value of a sort, by being able to do something for her child.  I suspect all of us who have children understand that.

He's a super "kid".  (He's not a kid of course.)


understood.  doing something for children and using earned points or miles is a double whammy in my book
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 03, 2025, 06:42:23 AM
Drilled two good wells last week.  At least my crew did without my direct involvement. Got enough money in the bank to pay all the bills and payroll. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 03, 2025, 07:53:32 AM
Not having to work today is making me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 07:58:15 AM
wakin up to a freshly mowed yard and a 12:15 tee time makes me happy

grass got it's first cutting of the season yesterday after 5pm
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:15:27 AM
I liked mowing our yard except when it rained all week and I couldn't and then had to try and mow it still wet and very tall.  My Snapper ride on gave out and I bought a pretty nice mower from HD "used" for $200, I thought that was a deal, and it was.  The mower had grass stains on it, a bit, someone used it once and returned it, it was in great shape.  I had to walk behind it but that was fine, and it mowed better than the Snapper.  By then I was at my wife's house which had a smaller grass yard.

I didn't like bagging, I would have to stop every so often to dump the clippings, but it made the yard look really nice.  For relatively little effort I could sit on the deck and admire my handiwork and the wife would bring me a cold drink.

Her yard slopped down the back to a green belt, it was really nice, but I decided to terrace some of it that was a bit wild.  I ended up digging up huge flat rocks of limestone to build the terrace, some so large and heavy I could only move them a bit with a pick.  That area was all about limestone.  I was pretty proud of my walls though.  

I planted a lot of flowers back in the ungrassed area that would come up early Spring, always a good time.  Just reminescing makes me happy.

(https://i.imgur.com/m1RJyK2.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:16:45 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/CmU43zv.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/kigQFNe.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 09:18:04 AM
nice work

bagging grass is silly
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:22:25 AM
This is me at lunch at a spot on the Gironde River.  I was driving back to Bordeaux and out tiny motel room using a "back road", which is saying something, it was one lane but two way, along the river, a bit hungry, and we spotted this place, stopped, and inquired if they were still serving.  The lady told us they would make something for us though it was after 2 PM.  It was terrific.  They had a B&B "castle" across the road they showed us after we ate, I think my wife took their information somewhere.  We were their only customers for lunch.  I left a large tip which they no doubt found surprising.

(https://i.imgur.com/ITBFYKC.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:25:58 AM
A buddy of mine, an Ohio State fan, took a trip to Oxford to see Ole Miss host UGA.  Ole Miss whomped the Dawgs bad that day but it was a great time.  This is in The Grove, at a TG where folks hosted us.  After the game we came back and some players from OM came by to watch other games, I think these folks were connected.  They had a great TG and wouldn't take my money.  My buddy is wearing an OSU hat and UGA shirt.

(https://i.imgur.com/S1wUzZY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NUFlaez.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:46:11 AM
Folks take gillions of photos with their phone, I wonder idly how many ever good looked at afterward.  I'm at the CFB HoF which oddly enough my wife enjoyed (or claimed she did).  She does like doing things that make me smile, usually.

(https://i.imgur.com/nfiNC4l.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:48:26 AM
I had a 60th birthday party in our back yard with hundreds, well, tens of friends, and had this guy come and play with his son, I really liked his music.  We had a burger truck set up out front, and a lot of wine pouring.  Yes, I was libated enough to try and sing, but not much.

(https://i.imgur.com/tUXq960.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:50:11 AM
This was the core of our "wine group" at the local wine bar in Glendale, OH.  We showed up every Friday and spent way too much money.  I proposed to my wife in that room in the back on April Fool's Day a few years back.

(https://i.imgur.com/gWXC4sK.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2025, 09:53:16 AM
grass got it's first cutting of the season yesterday after 5pm
Dafuq I'll be on my 3rd cut if it ever dries out
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 09:53:57 AM
The gardens at a place called Vaux-le-Vicomte near Melum, France, probably my favorite chateau in France.  Geesh, I had this little digitcal camera back then.  Good times.  Time keeps on tickin' tickin' tickin'  

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Vaux le Vicomte (https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/)

(https://i.imgur.com/BPxQrWk.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 10:00:47 AM
Dafuq I'll be on my 3rd cut if it ever dries out
I'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alley
they are probably all going to mow today or Sunday, I've got tee times so had to Git'r done Friday afternoon
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2025, 10:01:29 AM
This was the core of our "wine group" at the local wine bar in Glendale, OH.  We showed up every Friday and spent way too much money.  I proposed to my wife in that room in the back on April Fool's Day a few years back.

(https://i.imgur.com/gWXC4sK.jpeg)
Where the hell is the wood bar,pinball machine,dart boards,juke box, beer signs and TV's with the games on? That place gives me the creeps
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2025, 10:03:12 AM
I'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alley
they are probably all going to mow today or Sunday, I've got tee times so had to Git'r done Friday afternoon
FORE!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 03, 2025, 10:18:15 AM
My youngest daughter is a HS freshman. Most of our conversations go like this...

Me: saying literally anything
Her: one of "OKAY-AH!" "OH MY GOD-AH!" or "STOP!"
Me: You don't have to yell.
Her: I'M NOT!!!
The end.

Thursday, she set PRs in long jump and 100 hurdles.

Last night, she spent two hours on the couch with me, nerding out on Bound to see where she ranks in the conference, where she ranks in the state as a freshman, what she would need to do to make it to State in various events, etc etc.

She wouldn't shut up, and it was glorious.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 10:48:49 AM
Where the hell is the wood bar,pinball machine,dart boards,juke box, beer signs and TV's with the games on? That place gives me the creeps
It's a "wine bar", a classy place, doesn't need that stuff at all.  We liked it a lot.  Obviously.


Home - Piccolo Wine Room

A (https://piccolowineroom.com/) funny historical note, it's in the old building where the second Kroger once was, a long time back.


(https://i.imgur.com/rAUJf1R.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2025, 10:58:24 AM
It's a "wine bar", a classy place, doesn't need that stuff at all.  We liked it a lot.  Obviously.
Meh,gimme a dimly lit smoky tavern with a pool table and a good choice of draft beers....and the game on
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 11:18:56 AM
tough to find'em smoky any longer - it's a damn shame
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 11:30:56 AM
Obviously, there are bars for beer drinkers out there aplenty.  Wine bars are much more rare, as I think wine drinkers are fewer in number, though they often spend a lot more on less volume.

We have a pretty neat "beer bar" not far from here where my stepson went a while back and noted Charles Barkley sitting in the back by his lonesome.  The bar tender said he comes there when in town and prefers to be left to himself.

We 've had lunch there a few times, the food is better than a typical sports bar.  There was a large water main break just outside a few months ago that caused quite a bit of damage to the place, they were closed for a couple months.

Midtown Atlanta pub destroyed in water main break reopens | FOX 5 Atlanta (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/55-days-after-water-main-break-midtown-atlanta-pub-reopens)

Eleventh Street Pub (https://www.eleventhstreetpubatl.com/)

(https://i.imgur.com/WVupGag.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 11:31:20 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/cE1nwiQ.png)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 11:48:27 AM
Obviously, there are bars for beer drinkers out there aplenty.  Wine bars are much more rare, as I think wine drinkers are fewer in number, though they often spend a lot more on less volume.

We have a pretty neat "beer bar" not far from here where my stepson went a while back and noted Charles Barkley sitting in the back by his lonesome.  The bar tender said he comes there when in town and prefers to be left to himself.

We 've had lunch there a few times, the food is better than a typical sports bar.  There was a large water main break just outside a few months ago that caused quite a bit of damage to the place, they were closed for a couple months.

Midtown Atlanta pub destroyed in water main break reopens | FOX 5 Atlanta (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/55-days-after-water-main-break-midtown-atlanta-pub-reopens)

Eleventh Street Pub (https://www.eleventhstreetpubatl.com/)

(https://i.imgur.com/WVupGag.png)
you see the problem?
I'd have to swing by just to see if Sir Charles was holding court
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 03, 2025, 12:00:22 PM
I'm usually the last guy in the neighborhood to mow........ not this spring, beat my neighbors on both sides, across the street and across the alley
they are probably all going to mow today or Sunday, I've got tee times so had to Git'r done Friday afternoon
I mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.

Played 18 on Thursday; four 3-putts and made one outside four feet all day. A candidate for a "What Made You Sad Today?" thread.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 03, 2025, 12:17:38 PM
I mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.

Played 18 on Thursday; four 3-putts and made one outside four feet all day. A candidate for a "What Made You Sad Today?" thread.
We've already got one of those (https://www.cfb51.com/big-ten/in-other-news-18271/).
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 03, 2025, 12:55:58 PM
As usual on Saturdays we strolled through the local pop up market.  The crowds are down today because of weather, but it's fun.  I noticed a new flower shop in an ancient filling station that turned into a bike shop then some solar energy company and has been vacant for a long time, with various an sundry plans announced that fell through.  We stopped by and chatted with the couple there, it was very pleasant, bought a vase.  She does arrangements mostly on order, the one she was doing for some graduation she said was $200, so not cheap.  Duh.

I really admire the folks who start up their own businesses like this, the small ones, the market has several who grow vegetables to sell.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 03, 2025, 01:54:41 PM
Sheesh.  Been mowin' since February, when it got close to 90 deg here, or at least seemed like it.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2025, 02:01:30 PM
tough to find'em smoky any longer - it's a damn shame
I'm being repressed, I blame the damn,dirty,Demo,Russians
https://youtu.be/YAA-G947ofg
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 08:05:16 PM
I mowed for the fourth time Tuesday.

Played 18 on Thursday; four 3-putts and made one outside four feet all day. A candidate for a "What Made You Sad Today?" thread.
what course, I'd like to avoid it if the greens are that treacherous??
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2025, 08:05:50 PM
Sheesh.  Been mowin' since February, when it got close to 90 deg here, or at least seemed like it. 
don't move to Texas
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 04, 2025, 01:44:55 AM
Many of you don't seem to be getting the point of this thread...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 04, 2025, 06:13:10 AM
well, it's pretty early to be happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 04, 2025, 09:09:27 AM
well, it's pretty early to be happy
I'm happy, pretty much, drinking my morning coffee and reading stuff here is good.  My wife is still asleep, I think, I usually take her tea in the AM.  We had a line of storms pass through last night while we were at the symphony, could hear thunder at times, it had pretty much ended when we got out, just some light sprinkle which was good as we had walked, it's less than a mile.

The concert was ... interesting?  It featured a Pagaini violin concerto with a young soloist who played like crazy, Paganini of course wrote silliness so hard few can play his mess.  I wasn't crazy about the entire program but is was ... OK I guess.

The weather today should be very nice, a bit cool, we may go for brunch at this Persian restaurant we live that has nice outside seating.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 04, 2025, 09:17:12 AM
what course, I'd like to avoid it if the greens are that treacherous??
No, no. All operator error!

I played 9 yesterday and shot a 37, so I'm happy again.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 04, 2025, 09:38:38 AM
Today is my wife’s birthday.  A happy birthday day.

Immediate family, and a few friends coming by to celebrate.  Nothing too elaborate. 

Steak, chicken, shrimp, and veggie skewers on the grill, cold beer, and cornhole.

Over/under on May the 4th be with you knee slappers?  8.5
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 04, 2025, 05:51:34 PM
My wife got me some new shorts, and so I guess I'm finally moving on from cargo shorts. Hopefully the dad police doesn't make me give up my New Balance or Ford Flex too :57:

Then we went through and cleared out a BUNCH of clothes... So I finally have some room in the closet. 

And I told her that we should have a moratorium on any new clothes for a while... 

And she's in the process of cleaning out her closet too.

Goodwill is going to get QUITE the haul from us. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 04, 2025, 05:58:56 PM
My wife got me some new shorts, and so I guess I'm finally moving on from cargo shorts.  


One step away from becoming fanny-pack guy, in order to make up for all that lost pocket space. 


(https://preview.redd.it/98gln65vsvg81.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=8277e4c0403a3a53f43de174848e2baeb7c41e4f)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 04, 2025, 06:54:52 PM

One step away from becoming fanny-pack guy, in order to make up for all that lost pocket space.
Oh, I don't actually USE the pockets. If I did, I wouldn't be getting ride of them!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 04, 2025, 07:46:00 PM
No, no. All operator error!

I played 9 yesterday and shot a 37, so I'm happy again.
played in a 5-man scramble today, great weather - tied for first  -  2nd place on tie braker - drank plenty - good food - I'm happy to be home
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 07, 2025, 10:15:23 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/2p4KPCf.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: LetsGoPeay on May 09, 2025, 11:31:50 AM
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it. 

Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 09, 2025, 11:35:48 AM
Perfect weather here today, I went running and did double what I hoped to do (my legs are tired).  I'm happy I'm not running now.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 09, 2025, 11:43:10 AM
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.

Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.

Congrats!  27K a year will buy a lot of beer!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 09, 2025, 11:44:33 AM
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.

Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.

This made me happy today.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 09, 2025, 11:49:26 AM
We're doing a crawfish boil tomorrow and I just bought a couple cases of beer.  That made me happy.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 09, 2025, 12:11:55 PM
I was offered and have accepted a new job as a principal at a charter school in Indy. 27K raise, commute time cut by 66%, an opportunity to make a difference for kids who need it.

Also, I get to play golf tomorrow morning in what should be great weather.

Congrats! 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 09, 2025, 12:50:30 PM
We're doing a crawfish boil tomorrow and I just bought a couple cases of beer.  That made me happy.

1 or 2 go to the crawfish or you're doing it wrong.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 09, 2025, 12:54:28 PM
SFIrish did her annual mothers' day-related show at our local dive bar, which is always a good time. Got to hang out with SFGopher's girlfriends' parents (who came to the show) for longer than I have before, and they are cool people.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: CatsbyAZ on May 09, 2025, 04:38:34 PM
Woke up really sick this morning. Headache, no energy, nausia, can’t keep food down, can’t get out of bed. What makes me happy today is how much the pets appreciate my few sick days. After getting their dishes filled for their usual 6am breakfast, the dog and the cat took over the other side of the bed and, nearly 10 hours later, haven’t left my side since.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 10, 2025, 06:43:00 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/KRhSJg5.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 12, 2025, 08:22:22 AM
I made coffee, the weather is rainy/stormy, no running today, probably go to the gym.  My wife is up getting ready to go to her pilates which she really likes.

She keeps claiming it's the greatest thing and I should go back to it.

Something that is great for one person may not be for another.  I think folks like to have confirmation that something is great by getting another opinion, which suggests they aren't convinced.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on May 12, 2025, 03:48:48 PM
Got my official approval from DHHS to be my sister's Personal Assistant/caregiver and just in time -- got my sister home from the hospital this weekend after her knee replacement surgery.  After working out a schedule, today was the first day I got to actually get paid for all the personal care work I have done for her for years, lol.  Took a little doing and quite a bit of time for the state to get around to approving me as her personal care assistant/caregiver.  I did discover that is in a pain in the patoot to figure out a workable schedule around her needs and other family duties I have (she lives with me and my hubby and my youngest son). Way too used to just doing what she needs on the spur of the moment compared to having to schedule everything, lol.  I am doubly happy that even though she is 71 years, she is recovering nicely and still has a great sense of humor about all of her health issues.  Not getting paid a whole lot, but she feels better about having me do stuff for her and for her pride's sake, I am not complaining, haha.  Every little bit helps.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 12, 2025, 03:55:20 PM
very good news
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 12, 2025, 04:29:34 PM
My wife has had three hip replacements, which is not nearly as rough as a knee, and rotator cuff surgery, which is a lot worse than a hip.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on May 12, 2025, 08:56:59 PM
My wife has had three hip replacements, which is not nearly as rough as a knee, and rotator cuff surgery, which is a lot worse than a hip.


Yeah, her knee has been pretty rough; she did really well in February when she had a total reversal of her shoulder (instead of rotator cuff) and bounced back really quickly.  Hoping she does the same now so we can convince her to do the other knee sooner rather than later - she has been bone-on-bone with both knees for a decade or more.  

and ouch - three hip replacements?  I hope that when it comes time for me to have my hip replacement that it doesn't turn into that!  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 12, 2025, 10:23:34 PM
There was an issue apparently with some early ball-socket joints, they started shedding iron particles, which obviously gets bad.  So she had a "revision" they call it.  She came back from them pretty quickly, but the rotator cuff thing was really bad for her, and in general.

The bad thing is I had shoulder surgery a week after hers, not nearly as complicated, but bad enough.  We had some help for a couple weeks.  The good thing is my shoulder no longer is unusually painful.  I had hurt it at age 16 pitching, nobody back then had a clue what it was.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 12, 2025, 11:20:32 PM
Freakin’ knee has been killing me this week. For almost no reason. Just hurting. Got an appointment with the ortho doc on Monday. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 13, 2025, 01:19:50 AM
Well I'm not gonna complain about soreness or ailments. I earned my current soreness. 

I've been slacking on the Peloton, so I rode 60 minutes Saturday, 45 Sunday, and 75 today (Monday). My hip is tight and my foot sore, but I'm happy to start pushing the minutes again. 

Doing this so I'm capable 30-40 years from now. Or 80 years from now, like CD. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 13, 2025, 06:56:58 AM
Unfortunately for me, I really let myself go for quite a few midlife years.  I'm paying for it now in terms of fat, though I'm fortunate my moving parts are mostly OK.

When you hit around 45 I think there can be a tendency to let it all go for some reason, the weight of "life" can get oppressive.  Then I had a bout of depression I treated mostly with alcohol.  Get up walk, he says, while posting here.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2025, 08:01:27 AM
  I had hurt it at age 16 pitching, nobody back then had a clue what it was.
Called an ouchee - get back in there and play thru the pain. Well maybe not the amatuers
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2025, 08:06:01 AM
Freakin’ knee has been killing me this week. For almost no reason. Just hurting. Got an appointment with the ortho doc on Monday.
a year or so ago my freakin knee was killin me for no reason - couldn't even squat down on my haunches to read a putt - told the Doc about it hopin for some help, he just smiled and said I was gettin old.
It's better today but I still can't squat all the way down
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2025, 08:27:58 AM
ICE is your friend - not Bud Ice
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 13, 2025, 08:41:54 AM
Called an ouchee - get back in there and play thru the pain. Well maybe not the amatuers
Yeah, I played and continued to play into my 40s, and started back again at 60.  It was odd to me that on rare occasions I could still throw with a lot of zip, but most of the time my are felt dead.  There is a sound the catcher's mitt makes when a pitcher throws about 80 or more that I found quite pleasing.

It got to the point I couldn't raise my arm without pain, so I had it checked out, torn labrum and miscellanous debris.  Surgery fixed the pain by my arm is still quite dead.  I can MAYBE throw 60, but probably more like 55.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 13, 2025, 09:15:12 AM

ICE is your friend - not Bud Ice
Bud Ice is a friend to no one.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 13, 2025, 07:28:14 PM
BTW this isn't so much a "today" thing... 

But my son started playing golf at 13. He got hooked on it, and tried out for his HS team as a freshman 3 years ago. At the time, he was probably somewhere around a 33-35 handicap. THANKFULLY, it was a weak year for his team, and he made JV. Which gave him the ability to play and practice a lot, and it's paid off.

By the end of his freshman season, he was probably low-mid 20s. By the end of his sophomore season, he was probably mid-high teens. And now, as his junior season is finishing, up, he's on the cusp of reaching a single digit index. 

His last two rounds at our shorter course (par 59) he's shot 67 both times. And his most recent school/competition round at a longer/regulation course, he shot 83. His team won the conference for JV golf. 

It's a little bittersweet to watch him go from MUCH worse than me to MUCH better than me over 3 years, as I'm just as terrible now as I was then... But I still get to be the proud dad. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2025, 07:39:20 PM
Don't feel bad.   He's getting lessons.   Almost free.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2025, 07:44:29 PM
Happy?
I made it to the Sheraton in west des Moines w/o incident.   Lobby bar has sam Adam's Boston lager bottles for $2.  Going to supper on the boss's tab soon.  Hopefully find some customers at the lobby bar later 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 13, 2025, 07:45:15 PM
Don't feel bad.  He's getting lessons.  Almost free.
Well, the golf team / coach doesn't do swing coaching. The [few] lessons I've taken him to since HS golf started were not almost free lol... Far from it. But they were with a guy who is worth what he charges. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2025, 09:13:50 PM
geez, is the golf team / coach getting paid???
what does he do besides fill out the lineup card and drive the bus?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2025, 09:27:21 PM
5 guys made me happy - haven't been to one in nearly 20 years - it was worth it.

(https://i.imgur.com/uPkc7DU.jpeg)

and I couldn't eat all the Cajun Fries!
not to mention, it's on my boss's tab, but I get 3% cashback on my Capital One Savor card and 23% cashback on my Upside app.


(https://i.imgur.com/VCCDwzw.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2025, 09:52:42 PM
It got to the point I couldn't raise my arm without pain, so I had it checked out, torn labrum and miscellanous debris.  Surgery fixed the pain by my arm is still quite dead.  I can MAYBE throw 60, but probably more like 55.
Ya I tore my labrum not sure when,MRI even showed it looked like the liberty bell crack.Physician perscribed therapy which waisted time. So I got a cortizone shot  and said come back if it hurts. Well I went back at 2 yrs even thought I wasn't hurting but the appt. was covered so what the hell. Told me to come back when it hurts again and that was 2019. I just don't golf anymore,not that i was any good before just didn't want to aggravate it
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 13, 2025, 10:10:10 PM
5 guys made me happy - haven't been to one in nearly 20 years - it was worth it.

[img width=259.818 height=375]https://i.imgur.com/uPkc7DU.jpeg[/img]

and I couldn't eat all the Cajun Fries!
not to mention, it's on my boss's tab, but I get 3% cashback on my Capital One Savor card and 23% cashback on my Upside app.


[img width=259.818 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/VCCDwzw.jpeg[/img]
Hey, $23 for fast food, in Iowa, on the boss's tab, is certainly reason for joy!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 14, 2025, 08:40:29 AM
Holy cow $20 for a small combo add bacon?

I'm glad that made someone happy. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 14, 2025, 08:48:25 AM
well, there was nuttin small about it - couldn't finish it
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 08:52:48 AM
I go to this place fairly often. $15 gets me this and fries.

(https://i.imgur.com/BvUwOjf.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 14, 2025, 08:55:47 AM
wasn't cheap, but it was damn good!

I'd go back, ........ on the boss's tab
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 10:09:56 AM
This is sort of a combination of things encompassing more than today, but it had a singular point this morning that made me think to post. 

My youngest stepson graduates this Friday with his Mech. Eng. degree, which makes me happy. 

We don't have to pay tuition ever again, which makes me happy. 

When doing a project for the Registrar's Office last month one of them mentioned to me that they could get me reserved seating at the arena where the graduation takes place.  I snagged 7 seats and this morning my confirmation email came.  We're right by the "exit" side of the stage, where graduates are facing as they walk, and where they walk off after receiving their diploma, on the first row.  Mrs. DeT will have a prime spot to take some really good pictures as he's walking.  That made me happy.

Oh, and lest I forget, I get half the day off Friday with no vacation/sick time used, so that I can attend the graduation.  That also makes me happy.

Now, if the little fart will get a job in short order, that will make me even happier. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 14, 2025, 10:13:18 AM
T-minus 3 days until I depart for a 7 day Gulf of America vacation.

The wife, 2 daughters, son-in law, and 2 grandkids --- that makes them happy.

We'll see about how I feel about it after a few days......;)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 10:15:59 AM
Now, if the little fart will get a job in short order, that will make me even happier. 
He should have one lined up by now. ME's are in high demand.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 10:17:26 AM
He should, but that probably goes in the "What did not make you happy today?" thread.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 14, 2025, 10:18:16 AM
End of the month we fly out to San Diego because a step grandson is graduating HS.  The family makes a much larger deal over this than mine did back in the day.  I don't mind the trip much, but they have a small house and invite over a large number of folks and it gets quite noisy.  My wife limited our time in SD to 2 days, which I can manage better than the five we spent last trip.  I don't do well with a lot of noise.

I never viewed graduating HS as a major thing, but whatever.  A good thing is I hope anyway driving up to Palm Springs after for a few days.  I stayed there years ago with a kid was being "hosted" by a certain military branch for MOS training at "The Strumps", it was called.  They managed to find a desolate area for it, freezing at night and very hot in the day.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 10:30:27 AM
How can you NOT graduate high school, unless you drop out?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 10:33:32 AM
How can you NOT graduate high school, unless you drop out?
Didn't some places put in exit exams? You could fail those? Or just fail a lot of classes?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 14, 2025, 10:38:35 AM
How can you NOT graduate high school, unless you drop out?
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good.  

Anyway, they view is as a cause of celebration, meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me.  The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.

I know when I married there would be such things, and I have navigated them pretty much by staying relaxed about it all.

I graduated HS and started college less than a week later, it was just a transition.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 14, 2025, 11:15:57 AM
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good. 

Anyway, they view is as a cause of celebration, meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me.  The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.

I know when I married there would be such things, and I have navigated them pretty much by staying relaxed about it all.

I graduated HS and started college less than a week later, it was just a transition.

Graduating high school is not nothing, it's something -- although the bare minimum expectation by any functional family.

I can tell you what it is not.  And it's this:  :)


meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me.  The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 11:16:23 AM
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good. 
This is a complete tangent, but I went to a pretty decent private school, and it was actually paradoxically much harder to fail there than to fail at the local public school.

When mom and dad are shelling out money, you get a lot more leeway. The public school was really sink or swim. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 11:24:52 AM
This is a complete tangent, but I went to a pretty decent private school, and it was actually paradoxically much harder to fail there than to fail at the local public school.

When mom and dad are shelling out money, you get a lot more leeway. The public school was really sink or swim.
I felt the opposite and saw it at my public school. They just process you through. Kids are just tax dollars and the more you have and the more you keep around, the more tax money that comes in.

This is not a happy thought so I'm done.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 14, 2025, 11:26:01 AM
I have a long and frustrating story that very much does not belong in this thread, but the gist is that my daughter is graduating as a home school student despite transferring from dual enrollment to full-time at the HS two years ago and she will not be participating in commencement. She would be Valedictorian.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 11:29:05 AM
I have a long and frustrating story that very much does not belong in this thread, but the gist is that my daughter is graduating as a home school student despite transferring from dual enrollment to full-time at the HS two years ago and she will not be participating in commencement. She would be Valedictorian.

Well, congrats to her anyway.  If she were eligible to be Valedictorian under different circumstances, that speaks well of her (and probably you).  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 14, 2025, 11:29:23 AM
I have a long and frustrating story that very much does not belong in this thread, but the gist is that my daughter is graduating as a home school student despite transferring from dual enrollment to full-time at the HS two years ago and she will not be participating in commencement. She would be Valedictorian.

Sheesh....bummer for sure.  I hate that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 11:29:57 AM
I'm happy she is so smart. What's next?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 14, 2025, 11:38:05 AM
I'm happy she is so smart. What's next?
We're filing a civil rights complaint with the BoE on Monday. (The school twice accepted unaccredited home school transcripts from male students, then denied hers on the basis it was unaccredited).

For her, she is going to Iowa Central for one year to join their dance team and get an AA, then transfer to Iowa to get a BA.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 02:31:14 PM
We're filing a civil rights complaint with the BoE on Monday. (The school twice accepted unaccredited home school transcripts from male students, then denied hers on the basis it was unaccredited).

For her, she is going to Iowa Central for one year to join their dance team and get an AA, then transfer to Iowa to get a BA.
Save that money!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 02:31:48 PM
Snagged some extra lunch at the office today. Gonna save it and see if I can limit some degree of spending on food for the week.

(Saving and figuring this out brings me joy)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 02:57:01 PM
Snagged some extra lunch at the office today. Gonna save it and see if I can limit some degree of spending on food for the week.

(Saving and figuring this out brings me joy)

Hmm.....much like me and SFBadger, we are more alike than the surface might suggest.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 03:03:24 PM
Hmm.....much like me and SFBadger, we are more alike than the surface might suggest. 
The surface didn’t suggest that?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 14, 2025, 03:08:50 PM
Heh.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 03:42:40 PM
The surface didn’t suggest that?

Well, I mean, you're from San Francisco and I'm from Louisiana.  The surface suggests that you're out fishing for halibut and I'm digging in ditches for crawfish.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 14, 2025, 03:49:12 PM
Mmmmmm crawfish.

Our boil was SO good on Saturday.  I'm always a little sad when the season comes to an end.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2025, 03:59:43 PM
I've somewhat lost my taste for it compared to days gone by.  I still enjoy it as a social event, but seasons come and go and I'd never think twice if my wife didn't bug me to take her out to eat some.  There's several restaurants around here who do a good job with boiled crawfish, but their corn and potatoes are very disappointing, and I don't understand how/why that is. 

If you want something done right, guess you gotta do it yourself, except that I lost my recipe a long time ago and I'd be winging it, anymore.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2025, 04:08:42 PM
Well, I mean, you're from San Francisco and I'm from Louisiana.  The surface suggests that you're out fishing for halibut and I'm digging in ditches for crawfish. 
I lived in the Midwest for a decent number of years and the deep south as well. I may take away is, folks are folks. People spend too much time imagining we’re somewhat different. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 15, 2025, 07:17:11 AM
Well, I mean, you're from San Francisco and I'm from Louisiana.  The surface suggests that you're out fishing for halibut and I'm digging in ditches for crawfish. 
Too bad neither of you gets Great Lakes Walleye/Perch 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 15, 2025, 08:39:50 AM
Most of "us" are pretty much he same IMHO globally.  Cultures and norms differ, basic motivations are the same.  Duh.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 15, 2025, 11:46:12 AM
This morning I showed my "big" boss a machine-learning project I did in my spare time.  The goal was just to demonstrate what's possible, not necessarily convey anything meaningful at this particular time, since the data I pulled needed sifting through by someone who knows more about universities than me.  He seemed to genuinely be interested in what I'd done, impressed by the potential, and congratulated me for exploring something beneficial while things have been slow.  He also complimented my documentation and clarity in conveying the objectives, findings, and limitations.  He gave me a few suggestions on next steps to get more meaningful outcomes and told me to get back with him whenever I'd broken the project down into smaller, more targeted chunks. 

I don't expect it to change my job description in any meaningful way or really amount to much of anything at all, but it made me happy to do something related to my schooling in the real world and get a pat on the back for it.  If nothing else, it's going on the ol' resume.  
 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 15, 2025, 01:30:22 PM
I'm in Philadelphia right now, helping my oldest pack up some stuff at college before coming home for the summer. That makes me happy. Perhaps perversly, they just screwed something up pretty badly in school, but they are dealing with it, and figuring out how to move on from a mistake that no one will fix for them. That makes me happy.
Life can be weird like that.

Also, being here reminds me that, indeed, different parts of the country are culturally different...and yet very much the same. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 15, 2025, 02:39:26 PM
Last night, the symphony had an event at the local Jones Day office near us.  I thought the food was pretty good, my wife didn't at all.  I'm not sure why.  A string quartet played a piece I'd never heard before but enjoyed.

The view from  their office space is interesting, I'll try and post a few photos.  I understand that is a fairly large legal practice.

(https://i.imgur.com/qbjCYSE.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/H5Hyk56.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 15, 2025, 02:53:43 PM
Nice office space.

(https://i.imgur.com/aZKc6Kw.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/jibdQA4.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 15, 2025, 04:24:47 PM
I'm in Philadelphia right now, helping my oldest pack up some stuff at college before coming home for the summer. That makes me happy. Perhaps perversly, they just screwed something up pretty badly in school, but they are dealing with it, and figuring out how to move on from a mistake that no one will fix for them. That makes me happy.
Life can be weird like that.

Also, being here reminds me that, indeed, different parts of the country are culturally different...and yet very much the same.
Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country.  Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 15, 2025, 04:28:54 PM
I'm sure it can vary, some, like with some private schools that are pretty good. 

Anyway, they view is as a cause of celebration, meriting a somewhat expensive 4 hour flight and $1200 of three hotel rooms paid by me.  The daughter (aunt) is coming from France for it, she of the long unemployed variety, so my wife footed the ticket.

I know when I married there would be such things, and I have navigated them pretty much by staying relaxed about it all.

I graduated HS and started college less than a week later, it was just a transition.
I mean, you DO travel all over the world, quite frequently.  It's not like you never get out or travel.  We didn't make too much of HS graduation back in my day either, but we did have a small party with friends and family (1990's).  Maybe a cake or something.  I kind of see it as more of an opportunity to have a little family reunion with a common cause.  


My youngest is graduating (HS) next week.  We're hosting a party at a nearby beach-house and inviting lots of family and friends to celebrate.  But I wouldn't expect somebody to fly in special, unless they really wanted to....but then again none of our relatives live very far from me.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 15, 2025, 04:35:38 PM
Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country.  Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world. 
And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park.  Oh and I work in Round Rock.

I'm crazy like that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 15, 2025, 04:45:49 PM
And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park.  Oh and I work in Round Rock.

I'm crazy like that.
And how about your and wife's family?  Pretty much my entire family lives within probably 30 minutes from me, maybe a cousin here or there that may live somewhere else in Texas but I can't think of anybody who lives way off.  College Station was about a 2-2.5 hr drive from here and that's about as far away as I moved.  I did live in San Jose for a month when I worked for AMAT, but we were just training.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 15, 2025, 04:49:30 PM
And then there's me-- born in Austin, raised in Austin, went to undergrad in Austin, worked in Austin, went to grad school in Austin, worked some more in Austin, and then moved all the way to... Cedar Park.  Oh and I work in Round Rock.

I'm crazy like that.

I'm old enough to remember when commuting between Cedar Park and Round Rock was quite a chore in rush hour.  Or any hour, really.  When I was living in Round Rock and dating a girl in Cedar Park and doing a lot of landscaping work in the CP and Leander area, I would've killed for that 45 toll road thingy y'all got now.  All I had was slow-ass 680 with a bazillion red lights. 

See, back in my day we didn't have all the fancy highways you kids enjoy now :72:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 15, 2025, 04:54:43 PM
Yeah both set of folks live in Austin.  Only my MIL is originally from Austin, though.  My FIL is from Terrell, my dad is from Alpine, and my mom is from Temple.

But of course one of the big reasons we've chosen to stay here, is to remain near family, especially once we had kids.

Both my brother and sister also live in Austin, although my sister lived in various places in Florida for about 15 years before coming back.

And my wife's sister is back in Austin after spending most of the past 20 years in Colorado and Oregon.  She's very much a hippie chick but she's back in Austin, for now.  Her brother is in New Jersey right now but that's because his wife is in the Air Force.  They've also lived in San Antonio, the Bay Area, the DC area, over the past 10 years.  But he's also lived in Austin much of his life and as soon as his wife hits 20 years in the Air Force, next year, they're going to move to the house they've built on their property just outside of Fredericksburg. 

We're actually looking at some land very close to theirs, we just might retire there too, unless I can convince my wife to move to some island in the Caribbean!

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 15, 2025, 05:08:14 PM
Alpine.....wow.  I only recently learned of that town because there is a state university there our ERP department supports.  They don't have their own, it seems.  That's quite a haul to Austin.  Did your grandparents remain there, or other members of your dad's family? 

The ERP folks in my office have to go to Alpine for a week at a time every now and then.  By the time they drive back, they act like they need vacations, except they don't want to drive anymore.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 15, 2025, 05:19:20 PM
Alpine.....wow.  I only recently learned of that town because there is a state university there our ERP department supports.  They don't have their own, it seems.  That's quite a haul to Austin.  Did your grandparents remain there, or other members of your dad's family? 

The ERP folks in my office have to go to Alpine for a week at a time every now and then.  By the time they drive back, they act like they need vacations, except they don't want to drive anymore. 
Yeah Sul Ross State University.  It was directly across the street from my grandparents' house.  They lived there until my grandmother passed away and my grandfather came to live at our house until he also passed.  I was in college by then but still living at home during the summers so I got to spend a lot of time with my grandpa those last few years.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 15, 2025, 07:39:39 PM
Honestly it just boggles my mind how some of you can be so spread around the country.  Some of you born on one coast, went to school in the mid-west, kids living all over the country/world. 
Born in the Chicago 'burbs. Have lived in San Jose, Orange County, Atlanta, and back to Orange County. My brother is here, one sister is in NJ, and another sister lives on a boat in the Caribbean part of the year and in Vail other parts. Parents were lifelong Chicagoans but now live in the Denver 'burbs.

For now, my kids are stuck in OC (bc they're minors) but I have no clue where they'll end up. Not sure whether I'll stay here once we're empty nesters either...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 15, 2025, 08:31:14 PM
Born in the Chicago 'burbs. Have lived in San Jose, Orange County, Atlanta, and back to Orange County. My brother is here, one sister is in NJ, and another sister lives on a boat in the Caribbean part of the year and in Vail other parts. Parents were lifelong Chicagoans but now live in the Denver 'burbs.

For now, my kids are stuck in OC (bc they're minors) but I have no clue where they'll end up. Not sure whether I'll stay here once we're empty nesters either...
Southern Florida is lovely!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 15, 2025, 08:33:55 PM
for reptiles & insects
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 12:48:57 AM
Southern Florida is lovely!
They have dinosaurs. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 16, 2025, 06:42:49 AM
And Anacondas maybe lions & tigers & bears for the exotic pet owners. Too crazy Austin it is - slow roasted meats all year and one can alway's crash 94's digs around the holidays for the best eggnog  and cornbread on the planet from those in the know
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 06:48:34 AM
I woke up, again, made coffee, life is good.... so far.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 16, 2025, 06:57:58 AM
having a cup of Black Coffee - straight up been grinding my own lately. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 07:34:08 AM
I drink it black also, used to add "stuff" years ago, broke the habit.  I don't grind any more, I use the Costco 3 lb. can of Columbian and a French press.

I don't think the French press is anything magical.

When I was working, I got a safety violation because apparently a coffee maker at my desk was "not allowed".  This meant I had to do the next safety audit (I didn't find any violations!).  I kept the coffee maker, I put it on the floor at my feet to "hide" it, never got another citation.  There was a small "cafe" that sold coffee in the building at some ridiculous price.  It makes me happy to remember "sticking it to the man".

I still laugh that my boss somehow replaced me with two people.  My job took about 15 minutes a week to do whatever was needed.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 16, 2025, 08:14:56 AM
Read this a few yrs back

Coffee is a complex brew with compounds that can influence cholesterol levels. An important one is cafestol, a diterpene in coffee oils. Cafestol can raise LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. Its presence is higher in unfiltered coffee methods like French press, as the grounds are in contact with water. This allows cafestol to seep into your cup.

Paper filters are essential in reducing cafestol levels in coffee. They trap the coffee oils, preventing them from entering the drink. Consequently, paper filtered coffee poses a lower risk of increasing cholesterol compared to unfiltered methods.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 08:22:42 AM
Coffee and Cholesterol: What You Need to Know (https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/coffee-cholesterol-connection)

Cafestol has also shown anticarcinogenic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticarcinogen) properties in rats.[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafestol#cite_note-ntp-7)

Cafestol also has neuroprotective effects in a Drosophila (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosophila) fruit fly model of Parkinson's disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_disease).[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafestol#cite_note-pmid20410106-8)[9] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafestol#cite_note-9)




(https://i.imgur.com/8pDATWQ.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 08:37:13 AM
drinkin my coffee now - for medicinal purposes only
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 16, 2025, 08:42:49 AM
Then you can have some tea with your pinkie in the air and toast to the BIG
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 08:47:44 AM
I'm from Iowa - dirt farmers don't behave that way.
You're thinkin of the folks in Austin
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 16, 2025, 09:02:16 AM
We have a Bunn.

I don't drink coffee anymore.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 16, 2025, 09:03:41 AM
I love a French press, we have one in the house and one in the RV but honestly I only use it when we're camping.  At home we just use the automatic drip machine.

But to hold the theme-- it makes me happy when I'm out camping and I wake up early, get the water boiling, prepare the French press, then take a cup of hot fresh coffee outside and sit in my camping rocking chair, with the cool morning air, and listening to the birds sing.  That's one of my very happiest of places.


Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 16, 2025, 09:06:38 AM
We've slowly climbed the coffee snob ladder. Cheap drip to cheap Keurig to higher-end Keurig to Nespresso. Been eying a Breville espresso machine for the last year or so.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 16, 2025, 09:10:38 AM
We've slowly climbed the coffee snob ladder. Cheap drip to cheap Keurig to higher-end Keurig to Nespresso. Been eying a Breville espresso machine for the last year or so.
Oh yeah, we have a Nespresso machine as well.  If all you want is espresso and don't do the fancy milk drinks, then the Nespresso is the best there is.  When we stayed with our friends in Milan, they had a Nespresso and it made the absolute best coffee. All of their Italian friends had one.  So we bought one as soon as we got back to the States and we've had it ever since.   I don't typically drink espresso in the morning or during the day, but I love one after a big fancy dinner.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 16, 2025, 09:11:52 AM
My freshman daughter went bonkers and won her state qualifying meet long jump last night. PR'd by 7" on her last jump to win it.

Kind of a wake-up-with-my-head-sown-to-the-carpet surprised moment.

She should also make it in shuttle hurdles and 4x100 but we're waiting on official results.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 09:15:09 AM
I love a French press, we have one in the house and one in the RV but honestly I only use it when we're camping.  At home we just use the automatic drip machine.

But to hold the theme-- it makes me happy when I'm out camping and I wake up early, get the water boiling, prepare the French press, then take a cup of hot fresh coffee outside and sit in my camping rocking chair, with the cool morning air, and listening to the birds sing.  That's one of my very happiest of places.
I'm sitting at my computer, windows and doors open, 69 degrees in the house, listening to the birds.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 16, 2025, 09:18:57 AM
I'm sitting at my computer, windows and doors open, 69 degrees in the house, listening to the birds.
Spring morning coffee on the deck is some of my favorite coffee.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 16, 2025, 09:30:30 AM
We've slowly climbed the coffee snob ladder. Cheap drip to cheap Keurig to higher-end Keurig to Nespresso. Been eying a Breville espresso machine for the last year or so.
I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.

Was it you that won a smoker years ago?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on May 16, 2025, 09:32:25 AM
I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.

Was it you that won a smoker years ago?
I think I won a cookbook. I forgot all the details on that one, haha.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 16, 2025, 09:32:58 AM
Whatever it was made me happy that day.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 09:33:47 AM
my cheap Keurig works fine for me - it's convenient 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 09:40:32 AM
I'd like to drive a car I can't afford, maybe a $78,000 C8?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 09:40:52 AM
having a cup of Black Coffee - straight up been grinding my own lately.
Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.

I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to roast my own beans or anything crazy like that yet though. 

Yet.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 16, 2025, 09:43:02 AM
Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.

I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to roast my own beans or anything crazy like that yet though.

Yet.

It's like homebrewing.  You can get as into it, and spend as much money, as you want.  Dangerous.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 09:43:51 AM
I have one. It's in the box still. Maybe I'll offer it up as a prize for the B1G Pick'em game this year.

Was it you that won a smoker years ago?
I've got a Breville as well. It was a $700 (or thereabouts) machine that we were gifted secondhand because it wasn't properly generating pressure, and the owner (family) didn't want to mess with trying to fix it themselves and know I'm an engineer so I have a fair shot at doing so. 

I haven't messed with it yet. We don't have any more room on our "coffee hutch". But I probably need to figure that project out. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 09:46:35 AM
It's like homebrewing.  You can get as into it, and spend as much money, as you want.  Dangerous.
Yep. And like homebrewing, probably go through a nice, long, learning period where your output is significantly worse than what you can buy. All while you're telling yourself it's great, because I'm sure new coffee roasters, like new homebrewers, suffer from ugly baby syndrome. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 09:54:48 AM
My wife has a Nespresso machine, she makes what I guess is "espresso" fairly often.  On occasion I'll ask for one when she's making one after dinner or whatever.

I don't find espresso to be somehow uniquely wonderful, it's OK.

My first trip to Paris we went to breakfast and the "coffee" I ordered came with about two small sips in a tiny cup.  I looked askance.

She laughed.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 16, 2025, 10:00:15 AM
Yeah, we were doing the coffee pod thing for a while. I decided I wanted to go for better coffee. Pods are "fine" in a pinch, but nothing remarkable. And I drink coffee black, because I actually LIKE the taste of coffee, so I figured I might as well get a good grinder and brewer. Buddy is a coffee snob, so I just took his recommendation for a nice burr grinder and drip coffee maker. It's much better.

I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to roast my own beans or anything crazy like that yet though.

Yet.

My dad's into that.  He's got a roaster that looks very steampunk....I like the look of it more than anything it actually accomplishes.  He buys beans from all different countries and tinkered around with the process for a while with them.  Claims his stuff was actually wretched at first, and that he had to figure out a different process for different beans.  Then he has some kind of grinder machine that matches the first, but it's smaller.  The whole thing looks cooler than the utility of it, because I don't much care for regular coffee.  

Semi-retired people get up to some stuff, let me tell you.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 10:15:09 AM
I'd like to drive a car I can't afford, maybe a $78,000 C8?
I save some serious coin by avoiding long flights and cruises
Walking into my garage to see the red car made me happy this morning
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 16, 2025, 10:31:42 AM
I work from home on Friday's.  The wife works sales from home every day.

Hearing her work the phones, and clients, and then hearing her yell from the other room --  "Got another one.....made (whatever)" commission, followed by a "woo hoo, how ya like that!", always makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 16, 2025, 11:42:12 AM
I did my 3 miles today and somee pushups, still have 30 of those to finish my target.

They were filming over in the park today, I have no clue what.  A LOT of folks standing around.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 16, 2025, 12:55:31 PM
I mentioned somewhere here last year about my stepson's gf who is about halfway like an adopted daughter to me....comes from a less than ideal family and really pulled herself up by her bootstraps.  Last night several of the wife's family members were out eating to celebrate my stepson's graduation this afternoon, but his gf couldn't join us because she had a "graduation" to take care of herself.  She's a special ed. kindergarten teacher at a pretty small school district, so she only has four kids in her class.  Because I guess everything gets a "graduation" now, the kids "graduate" to elementary school from kindergarten, and this was her first class.  This morning I got a text, a photo of her last night while she was missing eating out with us.  It's her and her little classroom kiddos in their cap and gowns, with their little adorable, snaggle-tooth mouths.  And she's pretty adorable herself, appearing to beam with pride for these kids.  It's all cataclysmically cute, and I'd post the photo here because she wouldn't care about her picture, but it's probably not cool to post photos to the web of other people's kids.  Anyway, that made me happy today.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 01:35:38 PM
I mentioned somewhere here last year about my stepson's gf who is about halfway like an adopted daughter to me....comes from a less than ideal family and really pulled herself up by her bootstraps.  Last night several of the wife's family members were out eating to celebrate my stepson's graduation this afternoon, but his gf couldn't join us because she had a "graduation" to take care of herself.  She's a special ed. kindergarten teacher at a pretty small school district, so she only has four kids in her class.  Because I guess everything gets a "graduation" now, the kids "graduate" to elementary school from kindergarten, and this was her first class.  This morning I got a text, a photo of her last night while she was missing eating out with us.  It's her and her little classroom kiddos in their cap and gowns, with their little adorable, snaggle-tooth mouths.  And she's pretty adorable herself, appearing to beam with pride for these kids.  It's all cataclysmically cute, and I'd post the photo here because she wouldn't care about her picture, but it's probably not cool to post photos to the web of other people's kids.  Anyway, that made me happy today. 
As a parent of a kid with special needs, all I can say is that anyone who is willing to be a special ed teacher is someone that--I mean this sincerely despite my religious lack of belief--is "doing the Lord's work". Kudos to her for taking that on. Teaching is brutally difficult, and it's even moreso IMHO for these kids.

So if you tell her you were bragging on her to random people on the internet, at least tell her that the work she and others like her are putting in does NOT go unnoticed. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 16, 2025, 01:56:50 PM
I mentioned somewhere here last year about my stepson's gf who is about halfway like an adopted daughter to me....comes from a less than ideal family and really pulled herself up by her bootstraps.  Last night several of the wife's family members were out eating to celebrate my stepson's graduation this afternoon, but his gf couldn't join us because she had a "graduation" to take care of herself.  She's a special ed. kindergarten teacher at a pretty small school district, so she only has four kids in her class.  Because I guess everything gets a "graduation" now, the kids "graduate" to elementary school from kindergarten, and this was her first class.  This morning I got a text, a photo of her last night while she was missing eating out with us.  It's her and her little classroom kiddos in their cap and gowns, with their little adorable, snaggle-tooth mouths.  And she's pretty adorable herself, appearing to beam with pride for these kids.  It's all cataclysmically cute, and I'd post the photo here because she wouldn't care about her picture, but it's probably not cool to post photos to the web of other people's kids.  Anyway, that made me happy today. 

Guess what?


This made me happy today as well.  Good on her!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 16, 2025, 02:19:37 PM
Partly happy, partly bittersweet. 

I joined a start-up company in 2007. That company was acquired by my current employer in 2009, and ever since, one of our IT guys from the original company has emailed out a "survivors list" of who remained with us from the 100 or so that started as part of the acquisition. He sent out that list today, and there are 13 names. BUT, the company spun off / split out a division back in February, and of those 13 names, 6 went with the new entity. So now they're truly not "remaining" with our side, anyway. So it's actually only 7. 

I don't know if it's crazier to think about all the names that are no longer on the list... or that my name is still on it?

But I guess I'm happy that I've had the opportunity to be here for now 17 1/2 years, and that what for 29-year-old me was still a "job" when I started in 2007 has now truly developed into my "career". 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on May 16, 2025, 08:52:33 PM
Going on 2 and a half years of no longer smoking (started at 19, quit at 67) and after gaining tons of weight post stoppage, I finally lost 5 lbs!  Will be going back to my arthritis swim class next Monday and with all the physical work I am doing helping my sister post knee replacement, my fingers are crossed I will see more weight come off.  Might not seem much to some people, but considering I didn't hit 100 lbs until my sophomore year in high school (5'6" and skinny - those were the days) getting down to 240 lbs now is so nice and brings a smile to my face
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 16, 2025, 09:23:55 PM
5 pounds is 5 pounds
my Father quit smoking twice, both times he gained weight
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 17, 2025, 06:46:42 AM
Spring morning coffee on the deck is some of my favorite coffee.
Well I don't have a deck but a finished 3 season room off the back. But I do have a decent city park behind me with 2 beisbol diamonds. Between my 1100 sq ft palatial estate and those sits a small stand of trees with a path thru that. Then between us and that is a 15 ft ravine with a creek meandering thru that and trees and natural growth aplenty. Think I mentioned before with a wide assortment of Birds I can recognize but can't Identify. With all sorts of choirs converging every morning so a nice relaxing start with a kick start of a 5 bean mix of Black Coffee
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 17, 2025, 06:55:07 AM
I save some serious coin by avoiding long flights and cruises
Walking into my garage to see the red car made me happy this morning
A couple of Red Cardinals right now eating seed I spread around makes me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 17, 2025, 07:06:00 AM
I'm from Iowa - dirt farmers don't behave that way.
You're thinkin of the folks in Austin
Didn't know Dirt Farmers had little red corvette's parked in their garages. What kind of equipment used to help prepare fields for planting can you drag behind that, besides screaming Hawkeye/Sooner fans? Bet that makes you happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 17, 2025, 07:53:21 AM
yup, business expense.  Use it to check cattle and crops.  I like to be happier than the tax man.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 17, 2025, 08:08:08 PM
Serious question…how the heck do you get in and out?  The few times I’ve been in one I had major issues getting my 6-2 self upright. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 17, 2025, 10:09:28 PM
it's not easy to get out.  I'm 5'10" that's not the problem
I'm 62 years old - that's an issue.
I push real hard with my right arm on the steering wheel.  Gotta squat with the single left leg.
It's not cool to use your left hand to grab the roof or door (leaves finger prints)

Getting in???  Easy peasy, just fall in.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 18, 2025, 08:44:33 AM
The granddaughter is happy on her first jaunt into the Gulf of America. 

(https://i.imgur.com/M5bJUhi.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 18, 2025, 09:44:53 AM
Never heard of it.  Is that somewhere up by Maine or something?  Sounds yankee.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 18, 2025, 10:02:57 AM
I'm happy to have a tee time this afternoon - weather is very good and the course is hosting a tournament, so it will be in great shape.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 18, 2025, 10:43:00 AM
I'm happy to be headed out to the lake today.  Only our second time out this spring, it's been busy, but the summer will be better.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 18, 2025, 11:31:17 AM
I'm gonna take the red car out for a spin - past a show & shine event - Sorry didn't have time to shine it this morning
Happiness
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 18, 2025, 01:01:25 PM
Hit my first bucket of balls since the left knee replacement.   No issues.  That was nice.  

The results……. Well,   I have some work to do.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 18, 2025, 03:22:12 PM
I'm gonna take the red car out for a spin
Then hook up that tiller attachment to it and get onto the back 40 you sharecrop for some sowing
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 19, 2025, 08:33:35 AM
golf outing in Kearney, NE this morning - reception to follow, then dinner and more drinks
not all Mondays suck
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 19, 2025, 01:02:37 PM
Hit my first bucket of balls since the left knee replacement.  No issues.  That was nice. 

The results……. Well,  I have some work to do. 
Just got back from the ortho doc.  Been in pain all week on my knee, said it was likely a meniscus tear and it was probably already healing.  Got to go back in a week for a check-up but for now taking anti-inflammatory and watching.  He did say that most of my joints were in good shape (on the knee he xrayed) and I was a long way from needing knee replacement.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 19, 2025, 01:06:21 PM
Can a meniscus tear heal?  I was told they can't.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 19, 2025, 01:44:19 PM
Can a meniscus tear heal?  I was told they can't.
Well, I got a ambiguous answer.  Apparently some can heal, but only if it's on the outer edge or in a certain place.  And it also depends on how badly it's torn.  You need an MRI to determine that and we only did x-rays.  Since it was much better today versus last week he told me to come back in a week and we'll see how it's doing.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 19, 2025, 01:52:24 PM
My daughter had a torn meniscus in one knee, had surgery, the doc told me she'd have problems later in life.  The next year she tore her ACL and damaged the meniscus in the other knee (soccer both times).  I was told the surgery would be about an hour.  After two hours, I was getting pretty frantic.  He finally came out and told me she was doing fine, at that point I didn't much case about the knee.  This all was 20 years ago and she's OK so far.

She boxes to stay in shape, of all things.  Not competitively.  She's my ten thousand dollar baby.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 19, 2025, 01:55:18 PM
I got a note to renew my insurance policy today with a lot of graphics and congratulations as my rate went down ... $11.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 19, 2025, 10:05:47 PM
insurance companies are evil
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 07:54:06 AM
I got up at 5:14 to pee, and went back to bed and slept until after the sun came up.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 08:33:54 AM
I got up at 3:30 with heartburn, finally got some sleep from 5:30-6:45
not happy, tired
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 08:38:41 AM
The grumpy old man thread is over there ---->

(cincy will be your esteemed host)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 08:39:45 AM
I'm not usually grumpy, but can be at times.  I feel OK today, have eye doc appt up shortly, I expect nothing to change.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 08:42:21 AM
I'm expecting a GREAT day, just wish I'd slept better.  It's gonna be a long day, but good.  Headed to Lincoln tonight to have dinner with my daughter.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 20, 2025, 09:27:04 AM
Yesterday evening I got an updated golf schedule for my son, which means he's got no golf after school today. 

That means he can drive his siblings home from school and I don't have to go do it. That'll save me at least an hour not being in the car this afternoon. 

That makes me happy. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 20, 2025, 10:53:24 AM
I'm expecting a GREAT day, just wish I'd slept better.  It's gonna be a long day, but good.  Headed to Lincoln tonight to have dinner with my daughter.
You being in Iowa, I had to look it up.  Not that far from Lincoln to Iowa.  Strange for me to think about traveling to another state, but I can be in Louisiana in about 2-2.5 hours. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 20, 2025, 10:55:48 AM
Or better yet, you can go to Beaumont, which is even closer, and sort of like being in Louisiana, except that you're still in Texas :)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 10:57:01 AM
It takes me a while, to get to any other state or country.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 11:14:25 AM
You being in Iowa, I had to look it up.  Not that far from Lincoln to Iowa.  Strange for me to think about traveling to another state, but I can be in Louisiana in about 2-2.5 hours.
2 hours and 20 minutes from my house to my daughter's in Lincoln or to the stadium.  Easy drive, all interstate.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 20, 2025, 11:46:04 AM
I can be in 3 different states in 20 minutes.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 20, 2025, 11:47:53 AM
I can be at 5 different Costcos in 20 minutes. Probably 1-2 more if there's no traffic...

...but this is SoCal, so that never happens during the hours they're actually open. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 20, 2025, 11:57:35 AM
Or better yet, you can go to Beaumont, which is even closer, and sort of like being in Louisiana, except that you're still in Texas :)
It's funny, we can both say we're in SE Texas, but we're so far apart we'd be 2-3 states over in a lot of other states.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 20, 2025, 11:59:20 AM
Silly one here: just thinking about SFGopher graduating high school on Saturday, turning 18 on Sunday, and, generally, watching him grow into a man. Nobody's perfect--he's not--but he is a damn good kid, and he's becoming a damn good man.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 20, 2025, 12:05:18 PM
It used to be pretty easy to get to Wisconsin and Indiana for us.

I think we could get to the Bahamas or Cuba by boat faster than we could get to Georgia or Alabama.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 20, 2025, 12:06:32 PM
I can be in 3 different states in 20 minutes. 
NW Tennessee?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 12:10:56 PM
I can be in 3 different states in 20 minutes. 
me too - Iowa, Nebraska, & South Dakota
90 minutes to Minnesooota
90 minutes to Costco in Sioux Falls - 100 minutes to Costco in Omaha
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 12:14:29 PM
For me it's about 4 hours to the closest part of Oklahoma, 5 hours to the closest part of Louisiana, and 7 hours to the closest part of New Mexico.

I can get to Old Mexico in 3 hours 45 mins.  But sadly, that's no longer a part of Mexico that any Americans need to be visiting.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 12:18:42 PM
sadly, most Mexicans shouldn't be living there
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 20, 2025, 01:05:30 PM
Today, utee94 started an old-fart ranting thread, which, frankly, is right up my alley.  That made me happy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 02:14:03 PM
Our flight to San Diego next week has a dinner option of Fox Bros. short rib (and some other burfle I ignored).  Sign me up.

It's nice Delta is offering Fox Bros. food options I think.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 20, 2025, 02:17:05 PM
Silly one here: just thinking about SFGopher graduating high school on Saturday, turning 18 on Sunday, and, generally, watching him grow into a man. Nobody's perfect--he's not--but he is a damn good kid, and he's becoming a damn good man.
Yep.  Gigem Jr is 18 and graduates on Thursday.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 20, 2025, 09:32:17 PM
Today my students promoted to high school.  And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over.  
FUUUUUCK.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 21, 2025, 01:01:13 AM
Today my students promoted to high school.  And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over. 
FUUUUUCK.
Good on you. I'd kill one of them, or myself, if I had to teach 8th graders for a year. I couldn't do it. Kudos to you. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 21, 2025, 08:42:41 AM
this made me happy yesterday............ sorry for not posting last night when I got back to the hotel at 1:30am
We both had the tasting menu.  The daughter paid for the food, I picked up the wine pairing for $95 each.
We were upgraded a couple times on the wine and a couple times on the menu we had some items added.
Probably the most impressive meal I've had.

(https://i.imgur.com/bdMlAcg.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TVeOQ5D.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 21, 2025, 09:09:46 AM
this made me happy yesterday............ sorry for not posting last night when I got back to the hotel at 1:30am
We both had the tasting menu.  The daughter paid for the food, I picked up the wine pairing for $95 each.
We were upgraded a couple times on the wine and a couple times on the menu we had some items added.
Probably the most impressive meal I've had.

(https://i.imgur.com/bdMlAcg.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TVeOQ5D.jpeg)
🤤🤤🤤
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 09:16:52 AM
There is a restaurant near us where the tasting menu is $250 per, and the wine pairing is $185.

0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf (https://www.lazybettyatl.com/_files/ugd/0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf)

I just can't do it.  Someone said you can sit at the bar and order al a carte, but that would get pricey as well.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 21, 2025, 09:28:13 AM
We've done some Prix Fix. Best ever was at Topolabampo.

Home - Topolobampo (https://topolochicago.com/)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 21, 2025, 09:37:58 AM
There is a restaurant near us where the tasting menu is $250 per, and the wine pairing is $185.

0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf (https://www.lazybettyatl.com/_files/ugd/0337ff_ed38ecb0328d4e659dcb29f9c845ca50.pdf)

I just can't do it.  Someone said you can sit at the bar and order al a carte, but that would get pricey as well.


it was outstanding but, if I ever go back on my dime or my daughter's, we'll sit at the bar and keep the bill down some.  $600 for two is more than I'm comfortable with.

We also started with oysters and bubbly wine before the tasting
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 09:40:04 AM
We have done some prix fixe here but not at $250.  Yet.  We've been twice to Bacchanalia which is quite good I think, and is $125 last I checked.

One can hit $125 at "normal pricey restaurants" of course (no alcohol).  Around us, a "good meal" out with no alcohol will be $50 per, that's at a nice place that isn't a "one star" or whatever.  If you want an expensive appetizer or dessert it'll be more of course.  So, add two small appetizers, the main course, and dessert, and you're over $100.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 21, 2025, 09:45:20 AM

you could stay around the $50 range with the menu - the steaks are impressive for the price.
the Butcher Cut last night was a tomahawk ribeye, 36 oz
I've also purchased the steaks from the market in the same building and grilled them at home


(https://i.imgur.com/1f0h3QI.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 21, 2025, 10:50:13 AM
it was outstanding but, if I ever go back on my dime or my daughter's, we'll sit at the bar and keep the bill down some.  $600 for two is more than I'm comfortable with.

We also started with oysters and bubbly wine before the tasting
Yeah, I'm a little fancy sometimes, but even when my wife and I go out to Mastro's Ocean Club for special occasions, even with alcohol it usually stays under $400 and that's for a VERY good meal--usually an appetizer or salad, steaks with sides, wine & beer, and sometimes dessert. 

We generally avoid prix fixe menus though. Usually there's something on there that we're not as excited about as what we might order for ourselves, so it feels like a bit of a ripoff to be forced into a menu that isn't exactly what we each want for that kind of money. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 21, 2025, 11:00:35 AM
Yeah, I'm a little fancy sometimes, but even when my wife and I go out to Mastro's Ocean Club for special occasions, even with alcohol it usually stays under $400 and that's for a VERY good meal--usually an appetizer or salad, steaks with sides, wine & beer, and sometimes dessert.

We generally avoid prix fixe menus though. Usually there's something on there that we're not as excited about as what we might order for ourselves, so it feels like a bit of a ripoff to be forced into a menu that isn't exactly what we each want for that kind of money.
On the flipside, I've often had items on a tasting menu or omakase that I never would have ordered, and turn out delicious.

My i s c & a aggie wife and I do it about once per year, usually either on her birthday, or our anniversary.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 21, 2025, 11:09:24 AM
my daughter really likes the tasting menus, they obviously change regularly.  I went along with her wishes.  I'm happy that I did.

I'm not sure what a prix fixe is, but it doesn't look like a Nebraska term.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 21, 2025, 11:20:55 AM
my daughter really likes the tasting menus, they obviously change regularly.  I went along with her wishes.  I'm happy that I did.

I'm not sure what a prix fixe is, but it doesn't look like a Nebraska term.
It means a set price for a multi-course meal.  Often includes an app, main course, and desert. Sometimes more courses than that. Might or might not have a separate fixed price for a wine pairing add-on.

You can think of it kind of like this:


(https://i.imgur.com/DiJO7Eq.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 12:09:24 PM
After storms last night, it's a beautiful day here.  I went over to the park and threw off the tennis practice wall and ran steps, worked up quite a sweat.

My wife is bringing suishi for lunch from Kroger, we both like it.

My eye exam yesterday was fine.

I'm slightly sore.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 21, 2025, 02:18:24 PM
my daughter really likes the tasting menus, they obviously change regularly.  I went along with her wishes.  I'm happy that I did.

I'm not sure what a prix fixe is, but it doesn't look like a Nebraska term.
Thank you for asking, I felt clueless.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: LetsGoPeay on May 21, 2025, 02:38:03 PM

Today my students promoted to high school.  And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over. 
FUUUUUCK.



Our 8th graders have been awful this year. I've had to go sit in a classroom to help the teachers with them several times this year. And these are good, veteran teachers who can handle their classrooms. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 21, 2025, 02:55:39 PM
Today my students promoted to high school.  And thus, my one-year mistake of teaching 8th grade is over. 
FUUUUUCK.
What grade do you prefer?  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 03:11:39 PM
I had the option of "teaching" every year in college, lab courses.  The freshmen were the best, they were most inquisitive and mostly cheerful, eager to learn.  The seniors were pretty much going to med school, they were really smart, mostly, but beaten down quite a bit, they put their heads down and did whatever was needed.

The sophs and juniors were the worst, they were a mix of kids going to med school and kids with little shot at it, they were always asking "Is this going to be on the test?" and "Why do I need to learn this?".  They were often whiners.

I can't remember anything about 8th grade.  That was high school for us, they didn't have junior highs.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 21, 2025, 03:37:37 PM
I remember 8th grade.  Cassie Zammit was hot.  Wonder how she's faring 30 years later.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 21, 2025, 03:42:48 PM
I remember 8th grade.  Cassie Zammit was hot.  Wonder how she's faring 30 years later. 
I remember my 8th grade social studies teacher. She was young--pretty much fresh out of college. 

It was really funny the summer after that year when I was playing our local muni golf course and ran into her as she was driving the beverage cart. I'd guess she got some decent tips.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 04:18:30 PM
Some in our building want a "grill" out by the pool, propane etc.  Some dude posted on FB how we should all vote yes on the proposal.  I pointed out how a grill is NOT a barbecue, made my day, he got quite annoyed.  I don't know who he is.

I also told everyone to vote NO! and that I was very much against it.  That also annoyed him.

My wife thinks it would be a disaster, and something we don't need, at all.

I'm thinking of posting that IF a bullet were to hit the propane tank it would burn the building down.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 21, 2025, 04:21:21 PM
You're stirring the pot more than Fearless, CD...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 04:24:19 PM
He fears less, I fear nothing.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 21, 2025, 05:06:12 PM
I went back to post how it would contribute to more climate change, but the dude took it all down.  Wuss.

I was going to add how grilling increases the carcinogens in food, some of which are volatile and would permeate into units above the pool.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 21, 2025, 08:34:59 PM
8th grade is a really fun year, before you get cut back down to size as a HS freshman. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 21, 2025, 09:26:04 PM
What grade do you prefer? 
These kids were 8th grade in age only.  Many have plateaued since 4th grade.  That might be covid-related, idk.
Maybe 15-20 out of 75 of them are proper students who value their academics and take any pride in their work.  Most of the 75 would be perfectly fine if we didn't have to send them (to their) home everyday.  

I'm going to try 3rd grade next year.  

The younger they are, the more intrinsic they are when it comes to learning.  Curious, happy to do well, etc.
At some point, most don't care at all about school.  I recognize in any average 8th grader, they're discovering the opposite sex and gaining more responsibilities, etc.  That's fine and good.  Hair in strange places, all that.

But for many of these very poor hispanic kids, apathy has taken over.  As a teacher, when I see that, I mix it up, do something fun, spice it up......nah.  They (the 2/3-3/4) just dick around, ruin the supplies/materials, and don't turn anything in.

I maintained my efforts and those students know how much I cared, to the last day.  But god damn, it was absurd.  I'm accustomed to a ton of academic and social/behavioral improvement over the course of the school year.  This year, I didn't see much of either.  

My expectations of their school functionality were way too high.  
I was looking forward to deep, nuanced conversations...or at least minimal interest and opportunities for higher-level content and back-and-forths than I was accustomed to.

That didn't happen much at all.  It was a poor decision on my part.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 21, 2025, 10:03:26 PM
¿Cómo se dice "orange afro man" en Español? 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 21, 2025, 11:02:23 PM
hombre con afro naranja
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 22, 2025, 12:51:40 AM
gringo maestro de piquito grade level rapido
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 22, 2025, 06:40:47 AM
Google translation is a wonderful thing boys,huh boys.Or maybe you picked it up from S.W. spanish influences. But talking about Dicks on social media isn't something an aspiring 3rd grade teacher should be broadcasting - maybe it's just me
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 07:53:24 AM
At least OAM is out there trying to make a positive difference.  

Maybe I did at some point before giving up.  Shame on me.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 22, 2025, 08:02:12 AM
Google translation is a wonderful thing boys,huh boys.Or maybe you picked it up from S.W. spanish influences. But talking about Dicks on social media isn't something an aspiring 3rd grade teacher should be broadcasting - maybe it's just me
What?  :34:

gringo maestro de piquito grade level rapido

white teacher little/lower grade level quickly

You're inserting something weird where there is none.  Cool.  You're the creep here.

(https://i.imgur.com/nSCpnIK.jpeg)


Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 22, 2025, 09:25:38 AM
I remember my 8th grade social studies teacher. She was young--pretty much fresh out of college.

It was really funny the summer after that year when I was playing our local muni golf course and ran into her as she was driving the beverage cart. I'd guess she got some decent tips.

https://youtu.be/LetJHQ_V05o
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 22, 2025, 09:42:59 AM
It always comes back to Van Halen.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 22, 2025, 10:47:56 AM
I'm happy we just got done 1/2 hr ago unoading 11,000 lbs of food for the Pantry Drive tonite....in the rain
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on May 22, 2025, 10:48:03 AM
https://youtu.be/LetJHQ_V05o
In 9th grade my English teacher was young and beautiful.  She also happened to have a twin sister who was a lingerie model for JC Penny's catalog.  It was nice
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 22, 2025, 11:21:59 AM
It always comes back to Van Halen.

That makes me happy today, and any day.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 01:57:00 PM
Perfect weather here today, we took a nice walk.  My wife did a guided tour of midtown the other day and gave me part of it, I saw some things I'd never seen before.

This is tucked behind an office  building, I'd never been back there, the really nice news is the midtown alliance folks bought 4 acres adjacent to this to turn it into a park that will join up with this smaller space.  I don't know what the statue thingee is, maybe a phoenix.

(https://i.imgur.com/KaWGbtL.png)

That open area and pit was supposed to be a 55 story condo tower.  They built this fancy sales center but it never got off the ground.

You can see the "google building" in the back.  Green spaces in an urban area are of course highly prized.  We live about half a mile from here.

(https://i.imgur.com/niCD7U4.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 02:04:48 PM
We then walked up to our favorite Italian restaurant and chatted some with the owner and had a great lunch.

Pasta da Pulcinella (https://pastadapulcinella.com/)

We usually dine outside on nice days, but it was quite windy, so we sat at the bar, which of wonderful.  The restaurant used to be in an old house that got demo'd for a new office complex, but the owner bought this house built in 1930 that was derelict and redid it, it's fabulous inside I think.

(https://i.imgur.com/9U0lTiP.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 04:45:15 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/SY9eKki.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 04:49:49 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Xe555pO.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 22, 2025, 04:50:46 PM
that certainly does NOT make me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 04:57:51 PM
I love watching construction, seeing all those dude on the top floor, with 20 more to go.  Concrete trucks were lined up in the street to make pours, guys are making rebar junctions, it's cool.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 22, 2025, 05:08:27 PM
was referrin to doin yer own research
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 22, 2025, 09:05:29 PM
Google translation is a wonderful thing boys,huh boys.Or maybe you picked it up from S.W. spanish influences. But talking about Dicks on social media isn't something an aspiring 3rd grade teacher should be broadcasting - maybe it's just me
Some college students were explaining to me that you can circumvent the plagiarism detection software by downloading a term paper that was written in a foreign language, and then running it through google translate. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 22, 2025, 09:07:25 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Tq8XIDf.jpeg)
Vette got it's first bath of the season and a Gtechniq - Easy Coat Kit

Shiny makes me happy
and a Frosted Schooner of Banquet Beer didn't hurt
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 22, 2025, 09:07:47 PM
Some college students were explaining to me that you can circumvent the plagiarism detection software by downloading a term paper that was written in a foreign language, and then running it through google translate.
smart!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 22, 2025, 09:27:10 PM
The lack of smarts of making ignorant accusations lives on, though.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 22, 2025, 09:29:29 PM
The lack of smarts of making ignorant accusations lives on, though. 
Lack of smarts?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 22, 2025, 09:49:16 PM
Nubbz won't even acknowledge his error, just goes on posting as if it never happened.  He's a peach.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 22, 2025, 10:53:25 PM
He "liked" your post where you called him out. What more do you want? A pequito peck or kiss? 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 22, 2025, 11:20:54 PM
He could grow a pair
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 23, 2025, 01:28:45 AM

It meaning peck or kiss is slightly less creepy than talking about dicks to third graders, but not much. Now you're going on about peaches and a pair of balls?


(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/590/495/574.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on May 23, 2025, 06:48:44 AM
Well, that’s a wrap. The youngest is officially a HS graduate. Whew !  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 23, 2025, 07:49:03 AM
It meaning peck or kiss is slightly less creepy than talking about dicks to third graders, but not much. Now you're going on about peaches and a pair of balls?


(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/590/495/574.jpg)
I can always count on you to double down for someone else, especially when it's something creepy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 08:20:44 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/cJ20qKI.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 08:34:57 AM
You idiots are really fucking up bwar's thread.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 08:37:14 AM
Anyway, today's the last day of school for my 11th grader and my 9th grader.  It's a half-day and my 11th grader only has two classes, and they're both band.  So she's skipping, and she's happy.  And that makes me happy.

My poor 9th grader still has an assignment to finish though, so he has to go to school.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 23, 2025, 09:06:46 AM
Nice weather here again today, I'll take advantage.  My wife is off to pilates which she swears by, and I'm sure it's good for her.  She has mumbled a bit about going to the gym with me, I told her I could show her some good stuff with light weight that would help some, but she's not really interested.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 09:18:51 AM
We got about 1/4" of rain during a thunderstorm in the middle of the night, and so it's nice and cool this morning.  Went for a quick 3 mile run earlier this morning, it felt great.  That makes me happy too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 23, 2025, 09:22:33 AM
I can't do a "quick 3 mile run" any more, I can do 3 miles run/walk, but even my run is slow.  I usually do the first mile "jogging", then run/walk the other two.  I run hard enough to max out respiration.  Our pool is open now, our site maintenance guy did a superb job cleaning it, parts had gotten a bit grungy, it looks brand new now.  We'll be using it frequently when the weather gets hot.  Tuesday we're off to SD and PS.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 09:30:58 AM
I can do a quick mile on the elliptical in less than 12 minutes
2 miles at a 4mph pace takes around 30 minutes, maybe I'll try to get 3 miles someday.  Maybe turn down the resistance from 9 to 3 or 4?
I'm happy I'm still regularly using it. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 23, 2025, 09:33:59 AM
Maybe 3 years ago I was happy to be running a mile in under 11 minutes.  That was a strain, but I could do it using my watch, on the track (which has 200 meter markers).  I'm over 13 minutes now.  I think I can get under 13 with more running, we keep going out of town.  My weight loss efforts thus far keep bouncing around netting about zero.

The good news, I think, is I'm still out there doing stuff.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 09:38:07 AM
I'm finally back to being able to do a relatively quick 3 mile run in under 30 minutes.  I try to do that 3 times per week, during the week.  And then on Saturday or Sunday I usually work in a 5 mile run, or a 10K on a Sunday if I'm training.  There's a 10K coming up in a couple of Sundays from now that I'm signed up for, it'll be the first official one I've run in several years.

One year ago, I couldn't even run a mile without stopping.  I'd let myself get very, very out of shape.  Never again... I hope.

Getting back in shape makes me happy today.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on May 23, 2025, 11:38:28 AM
As much as I enjoyed the 38 days away, it is good to be home in the heat.  Nothing like floating in your pool with an adult beverage, smoking a good cigar and listening to classic rock. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 11:49:10 AM
Nothing like floating in your pool driving down the fairway with an adult beverage, smoking a good cigar and listening to classic rock.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 11:54:09 AM
Nothing like floating in your pool or on the lake with an adult beverage, smoking a good cigar and listening to classic rock.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 11:58:23 AM
Nothing like floating on the lake with an adult beverage, smoking a joint and listening to classic rock.
;)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 23, 2025, 11:59:29 AM
No thanks.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 12:03:18 PM
I knew the reply - I don't indulge it that stuff anymore, been a decade or better
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 23, 2025, 12:39:47 PM
Took the afternoon off.   Have out of town company- going to cook and drink and hang by the pool.  That makes me happy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 23, 2025, 12:45:12 PM
The Jazz Festival is across the street tomorrow, going to be noisy.  Which is OK.  We might even go for some of it.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 23, 2025, 12:46:50 PM
I don't run, so I don't know my mile time, and certainly not my 3 mile time.

But my FTP on the Peloton is 320W, and that's pretty good. I'm usually pretty near the top of the leaderboard.

And I'm happy about that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 23, 2025, 12:50:13 PM
I like these protein drinks called Core Power, especially the chocolate flavored ones.  But they're like $3.50 a bottle or something like that and they add up in a hurry, so we don't hardly ever get them.  But my wife's employer recently started buying snacks for them, including boxes of those chocolate Core Powers.  The other employees don't take many of those so she started bringing them home for me.  That makes me happy. 

It's a very minor thing, but I'll take any win I can get.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 23, 2025, 12:52:14 PM
Running is not a great idea for folks my age, but then again, I'm so slow the impact is minimal.

I threw off the wall today, I think I'm making some progress.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 12:56:13 PM
the elliptical is very low impact, I think
I got my 3 miles in just less than 41 minutes - resistance level 6
personal bests make me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on May 23, 2025, 01:03:20 PM
Funny story…. Long game yesterday and bled iver into dinner on an outdoor beach patio at Kenny D’s here in Destin. 

Was watching on my phone and just so happens, the next 2 tables next to us were all Vols as well.  I drew a crowd with the game on my phone.  They were all apologetic for intruding on our dinner but we didn’t care obviously.  It was pretty cool.

Nothing like the love of sports to make strangers into friends in an instant.

That made me happy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 01:14:15 PM
McGuire's Irish Pub is a weakness of mine

Knoxville Super Regional – Knoxville, Tennessee (All games at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium)

Friday, May 23: Nebraska vs. No. 7 Tennessee | 6 p.m. CDT | ESPN2 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 23, 2025, 09:25:25 PM
Husker ladies winning makes me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 24, 2025, 07:11:41 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/cJ20qKI.png)
Didn't know you bowled also getting ready for the Decathlon are you
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 24, 2025, 07:15:50 AM
I like these protein drinks called Core Power, especially the chocolate flavored ones.  
Try an Edmund Fitzgerald Porter,you can thank me later
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 24, 2025, 07:17:16 AM
not much of a bowler, but if there are beer frames, I'm in

Golf will still allow a cigar on the back nine

Life was better with a cigar at the bowling alley
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 24, 2025, 07:17:50 AM
Getting back in shape makes me happy today.
Round is a shape
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 24, 2025, 07:18:56 AM
Life was better with a cigar at the bowling alley Race Track
FIFY
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 24, 2025, 07:31:17 AM
race track is outdoors - be happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 24, 2025, 07:46:23 AM
I love watching construction, seeing all those dude on the top floor, with 20 more to go.  Concrete trucks were lined up in the street to make pours, guys are making rebar junctions, it's cool.
One of the Guys(Bob) who sponsors our food drives started a company in the '60s that makes concrete pumps. Brilliant as long as we have a modern society that need will be there. I told Bob I only knew one guy in my whole life affliated with that.Turned out Terry works for him, the nice neighbor chic who grew up next to me married him - small world. They go all over the place I know Denver for the last 3 weeks on a job
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on May 24, 2025, 09:48:58 AM
Nothing like floating in your pool driving down the fairway with an adult beverage, smoking a good cigar and listening to classic rock.
That's mondsy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 24, 2025, 10:04:10 AM
that was yesterday, today, tomorrow, and Monday!

FORE!!!!


(https://i.imgur.com/ojB7G60.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 24, 2025, 05:17:04 PM
I thought yesterday was Saturday, so a free 24 hours makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 24, 2025, 05:36:37 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/S476ncs.jpeg)

Nice lunch at Indian place then walk about.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 24, 2025, 05:38:17 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/rJbavJg.jpeg)

Then I took a nap. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 24, 2025, 07:54:04 PM
Having my last remaining Pliny the Younger bottle. 

That makes me happy. Or at least it makes me :singing:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 24, 2025, 07:58:23 PM
I'm home & the beer cart girl is richer
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 25, 2025, 07:39:46 AM
I woke up.  I think.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 25, 2025, 08:41:38 AM
I woke up quick
At about noon
Just though that I had to be
In Compton soon

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 25, 2025, 11:02:06 AM
FORE!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 25, 2025, 12:43:16 PM
FFS didn't you just get back like 12 hrs ago
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on May 25, 2025, 01:40:41 PM
Got one of the few modestly cool mornings we’re gonna have left here and managed to sneak in a 7 mile run.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on May 25, 2025, 03:23:53 PM
We went on a fairly long walk, the weather is nice, they are playing jazz in the park.  We had brunch at a Mexican place we live, I had not seen their brunch menu before, had something benedict which was outstanding.  And two Margaritas.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 25, 2025, 06:03:25 PM
3 Margs would make me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on May 25, 2025, 06:06:51 PM
Just finished 4 and half hrs toiling around the property. Up on the roof blowing off debris from 6 days on/off rain and wind. Oak moss,Maple whirly birds,sticks. Moved the ladder over to the 2&1/2 car garage(no red vette in there) and did the same.Then edged & cut back and front lawns. I'm happy it's done and headed for a few cold refreshments.

Good things can come from Michigan BTW, my kind,sweet sister in law(RIP) and Bell's Oberon(American Wheat Ale) according to the back of the bottle "Sunshine in a glass",so put on your shades,kick up your feet and get into that summer state of mind. Those are instructions I can stick to.

Backing that up with some Blue Moon Belgian White(Wheat Ale). According to them "a beer this good only comes around once in a blue moon." Going to have to wait for their Mango Wheat though,So ya I'm happy

Edit: Cindy just made some home made Fudge,I guess it's an old Fanny Farmer recipe,now I have to make some popcorn
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 25, 2025, 06:18:21 PM
Edit: Cindy just made some home made Fudge,I guess it's an old Fanny Farmer recipe,now I have to make some popcorn
:)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 25, 2025, 10:02:13 PM
Just finished 4 and half hrs toiling around the property. Up on the roof blowing off debris from 6 days on/off rain and wind. Oak moss,Maple whirly birds,sticks. Moved the ladder over to the 2&1/2 car garage(no red vette in there) and did the same.Then edged & cut back and front lawns. I'm happy it's done and headed for a few cold refreshments.


(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.56e6349592906221bf0c5bc78762154e?rik=CTAbpdT1fFZfHg&riu=http%3a%2f%2f3.bp.blogspot.com%2f-SFYFCcTq5_Y%2fTepDo2OfcgI%2fAAAAAAAABf8%2fNS2Aj6Xsjnw%2fs1600%2fDSCN2205.JPG&ehk=Espy%2blm9wB4oOGOdzJVl7EEyTdDQj5btcl3zvT%2bDwC8%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 27, 2025, 11:06:25 AM
This one is from Friday, but here goes anyway.  A popular LSU fan site I read daily does an annual 100-day countdown to football season and picks historical events about LSU football related to the day number of the countdown.  Last week the site owner was asking for suggestions for days 100-96.  I emailed him one for day 99 and he emailed me back and said it was a good suggestion.  In fact, on Friday, day 99, he did use it, with about the first half of his write-up using largely my exact wording.  It was against the grain of the usual write-ups which tend to focus on something positive.  I highlighted something LSU fans don't tend to remember fondly with the intent of dwelling on how good we have it now, as well as pointing out the silver linings that get lost in the general story which should still be remembered.  Anyway, that made me happy.  Tons of LSU fans across the world read that site every day, and they all read my thoughts about something, so that made me happy.

And in general, a completely separate thing.....my brother-in-law is in through the month of June, who I get along really well with.  He's a recovered alcoholic with decades of his life lost with heavy, heavy abuse.  He's been sober for over 6 years now, and after never really functioning as an independent adult for much of his life, he now rents a place and holds a job.  His job now has summers off, during which time he comes to visit us.  I'm really happy for his progress, and I like being around him, and my wife likes having her little brother around, so that makes me happy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on May 27, 2025, 02:08:45 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/SMOt1Um.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on May 27, 2025, 02:10:50 PM
Burnt orange sunset last night makes me happy, this was taken after a major storm rolled through Grit, Texas.

(https://i.imgur.com/yR1x6XH.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 10, 2025, 10:57:18 AM
Off to go look at a possible new boat.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 11:00:13 AM
Awesome.  Preparing for the first of the two best days... :)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 10, 2025, 11:04:36 AM
Well I got the day off and it's sunny and 70 deg. with a hi of 73 expected 😎 after 4-5 days of intermittent rain or haze from the canadian wildfires. Almost like hitting the sun light after coming out of a long tunnel
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 10, 2025, 01:26:34 PM
Went to Costco and spent way too much money on wine and other stuff, then had lunch at Canoe, one of our favorite places on the river.

Bought up Kirkland Chateau Neuf and Vacqueyras wines and a beef tenderloing, having neighbors over for dinner.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 10, 2025, 04:48:18 PM
We bought it. They bought ours.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2025, 05:01:10 PM
I'm meeting customers here in 30 minutes

https://fielddaybrewing.com/ (https://fielddaybrewing.com/)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 05:04:50 PM
Man now I want to buy a new boat!  This is probably what I'd get if I won the lotto...

(https://i.imgur.com/zuYLZwh.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 05:08:51 PM
I'm meeting customers here in 30 minutes

https://fielddaybrewing.com/ (https://fielddaybrewing.com/)
Several Czech style lagers, I like it.  If the weather is like it is here, I'd order one of the Czech pilsners.  If it were a little cooler, I'd get the Czech dark lager.

For food I'd be trying the bulgogi steak tacos.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 10, 2025, 05:18:46 PM
Man now I want to buy a new boat!  This is probably what I'd get if I won the lotto...

(https://i.imgur.com/zuYLZwh.jpeg)
Malibu and Pursuit are owned by the same company. Pursuit is an offshoot from Tiara.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 05:19:04 PM
I'd certainly be trying the milk stout... Don't see those all that often. Of course then I'd probably move on to IPA. The Americans, not the hazies. 

If I were there with my wife, there's no way we're not starting with that pretzel. She loves a good brewery pretzel. For food, I'd probably lean towards the Cuban or the Fat Alec burger. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 05:26:49 PM
Malibu and Pursuit are owned by the same company. Pursuit is an offshoot from Tiara.
I have friends who've had Malibus, Nautiques, Axis (which is Malibu's entry brand), Supra, and Moomba (which is Supra's entry brand).  And of course we currently have the Mastercraft.  I've driven all of them and ridden behind all of them, and the best ride and easiest drive is definitely the Malibu right now.  They're just at a different level IMO.

I don't love their current styling, I think they looked better about a decade ago, but you just can't beat the drive, the ride, and the ease of use for all the features.

Of course, at $250,000 new, it better be freaking great.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 05:29:51 PM
I have no desire to own a boat. 

But if I *did*, it would be something more like this:

(https://i.imgur.com/38utKks.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 05:34:56 PM
Actual photo of bwar:

(https://i.imgur.com/Kawj9PI.png)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 10, 2025, 05:42:09 PM
Sailboats are a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 10, 2025, 05:42:58 PM
Sailboats are a pain in the ass.

Looks like to much work to me.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 05:45:58 PM
Sailboats are a pain in the ass.
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?

Looks like to much work to me.
Sometimes the work is its own reward. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 05:49:48 PM
Have you ever sailed?  I have.  It's a shitton of work.

It can be rewarding in its own way, but it's not my ideal of a good time.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 10, 2025, 06:51:21 PM
Have you ever sailed?  I have.  It's a shitton of work.

It can be rewarding in its own way, but it's not my ideal of a good time.
Yes. It sucks.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 10, 2025, 06:57:02 PM
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?
Sometimes the work is its own reward.

I’m exhausted with the rewards I already have.  

I need my leisure activities to be leisurely.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 07:06:16 PM
Have you ever sailed?  I have.  It's a shitton of work.

It can be rewarding in its own way, but it's not my ideal of a good time.
Have I sailed? Yes. Quite a few times. Have I helped out somewhat with the sailing? Yes. 

Have I ever been the one in charge of the boat? Nope. 

So maybe I'm just looking at it through rose-colored glasses. 

But every time I've sailed I've enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed powerboating. There's just a certain serenity to it. It seems like the type of boating I'd prefer if I owned one. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 07:07:58 PM
Have I sailed? Yes. Quite a few times. Have I helped out somewhat with the sailing? Yes.

Have I ever been the one in charge of the boat? Nope.

So maybe I'm just looking at it through rose-colored glasses.

But every time I've sailed I've enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed powerboating. There's just a certain serenity to it. It seems like the type of boating I'd prefer if I owned one.
My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 07:10:10 PM
My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)
I've gotta get that first part figured out...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 10, 2025, 07:20:22 PM
I know a sure fire way to make a small fortune with a sail boat.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 10, 2025, 07:23:33 PM
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Wq9nmep9/

I saw Kirkland Lager today and picked up the 12er, have yet to try it.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2025, 07:26:16 PM
I know a sure fire way to make a small fortune with a sail boat.
Break Out Another Thousand

A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into

Which reminds me, the name of my last boat, the 22' Cobalt, was Hole in the Wallet

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 10, 2025, 07:44:52 PM
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Wq9nmep9/

I saw Kirkland Lager today and picked up the 12er, have yet to try it.

I shop a lot at Costco.  I’ve seen it, but haven’t pulled the trigger. 

Give a review after you try it. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 10, 2025, 07:48:52 PM
Kirkland wines are 98% outstanding in my experience, I'm more than willing to try their Lager.   It's one of my two favorite kinds of beer.  Might have one now.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 10, 2025, 07:57:32 PM
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Wq9nmep9/

I saw Kirkland Lager today and picked up the 12er, have yet to try it.
Solid beer. Made by Deschutes, a well-known and well-respected brewery from Oregon. 

I generally buy a 12'er on my weekly Costco visits. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 10, 2025, 08:14:56 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHXo-BpE8T8
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 10, 2025, 08:24:45 PM
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?
Sometimes the work is its own reward.
That sounds like a lot of work and then actually going to work? Then the wife,kids,house,yard,IPAs and the dog,dayum.And then hoisting masts and dodging yard arms and booms,plus posting here - are you some kind of masochist??? Not that there's anything wrong with that
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2025, 09:07:47 PM
Man now I want to buy a new boat!  This is probably what I'd get if I won the lotto...

(https://i.imgur.com/zuYLZwh.jpeg)
I really enjoyed Jimbo's boat on Lake Michigan.
Could go below to mix a drink or whatever needed attention
Maybe I should buy another lotto ticket?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2025, 09:14:02 PM
My recommendation-- become fabulously wealthy, buy a nice big sailing yacht, and then hire out the captaining/sailing to someone else. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/GCOqhw5.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2025, 09:24:58 PM
Several Czech style lagers, I like it.  If the weather is like it is here, I'd order one of the Czech pilsners.  If it were a little cooler, I'd get the Czech dark lager.

For food I'd be trying the bulgogi steak tacos.


it's 79 degrees, sunny and no wind

I started with the Czech Dark(very good) then Revival Stout - Imperial / Double Pastry 14% ABV(extremely good), they were out of the Nuremberg Style Red Lager, so another Czech Dark.  Finished with a High Point Pils Pilsner - Czech / Bohemian 5.2% ABV with my wings.

Had the WINDY CITY BEEF  Italian Braised Beef, Provolone, Giardiniera, Au Jus. (good for Iowa) Side salad was very good, started with the Brined Chicken Wings, Celery & Carrots (very tender and good)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 11, 2025, 07:04:13 AM
So, my wife invited over some neighbors, I thought it was last night, but it's tonight.  Whatever, She picked up a tenderloin at Costco and I already seasoned it, which is fine.  She was talking about having beef tacos with the leftovers and I thought "I trained her pretty good."

I'm still debating how to cook the steak.  I cut it into halves because she wants her steak blu rare, rarer than most folks including me.  It's a lot easier to cook it in the oven with the T probe than on the grill.  One option is sear it on the grill and transfer it to the oven, another option it turn on broil in the oven for a few and then cook it.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 11, 2025, 07:29:16 AM
I really enjoyed Jimbo's boat on Lake Michigan.
Could go below to mix a drink or whatever needed attention
Maybe I should buy another lotto ticket?
I believe CDawg and GopherRock also liked it. And Gator. Can't forget Gator. And SkiUMah98. And Burny.


(https://i.imgur.com/cMEXIv6.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 11, 2025, 07:32:47 AM
My friend in Sturgeon Bay sold his boat just after we visited, so we got a ride in that one also.  My cousins here used to have boats on Lake Lanier, obviously a different thing, but they enjoyed them apparently.  

There isn't one in my future though.  

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 11, 2025, 07:36:37 AM
CDawg saw that boat when it was a few weeks old.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 11, 2025, 08:27:42 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 11, 2025, 09:22:26 AM
I'm still debating how to cook the steak.  I cut it into halves because she wants her steak blu rare, rarer than most folks including me.  It's a lot easier to cook it in the oven with the T probe than on the grill.  One option is sear it on the grill and transfer it to the oven, another option it turn on broil in the oven for a few and then cook it.
I'd sear on the grill 1st - that's a bout all the wife's steak would need
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 11, 2025, 09:30:19 AM
I'd sear on the grill 1st - that's a bout all the wife's steak would need
I think I will do this and transfer it and cook her piece to 120°F and the rest to 130°F.

(https://i.imgur.com/7dRrGfN.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 11, 2025, 09:39:25 AM
I pull mine at 124-125, they rest to about 130 I suppose
my weber grill is usually over 400 degrees
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 11, 2025, 09:42:12 AM
My grill is a small electric Weber, it does reasonably well.  My wife insists on keeping it covered, which to me is a waste of effort, she wants the cover fully secured and I am lazy and dislike unhooking all the hooky things.  So, I don't use it much.  She also wants it "clean" which to me is a large waste of effort beyond knocking off grungies.

We recently had a referendum on adding gas grills to the pool deck, we voted against it, and the no vote won.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 11, 2025, 09:44:57 AM
mine is gas and sits in my attached garage off my kitchen, never has a cover, and only the grates get cleaned
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 11, 2025, 10:05:04 AM
A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into

Buddy of mine in Austin has a boat that makes him gobs of money.

I don't have his stamina for no days off.  He works a full-time job and only does this on Saturdays and Sundays, I think.  Between the bookings and then keeping it clean, he basically works all weekend.  

https://www.austinpremierboat.com/
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 11, 2025, 11:25:59 AM
I brew my own beer. I cure and smoke and slice my own bacon. Sure, it'd be easier to buy Miller Lite and store-bought bacon. But what's the fun in that?
Sometimes the work is its own reward.
Hard work pays off in the future.  Laziness pays immediately 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on June 11, 2025, 12:07:06 PM
Break Out Another Thousand

A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into

Which reminds me, the name of my last boat, the 22' Cobalt, was Hole in the Wallet


I've been looking at fishing boats the last 4 years, but I can't beat the price of a Buddy With A Boat.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 11, 2025, 09:00:04 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ELLLKAdw0&t=3s
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 12, 2025, 12:01:48 PM
I finally finished Book 3 in my fantasy trilogy.  Now to lean back and let the earnings flow in.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 10:22:28 AM
I learned that Costco, starting Jun 30, will open 1 hour earlier (9 AM) for executive members only. 

So not only can I get my weekly Costco trip done earlier in the day, I'll have fewer "Gold Star Member" riffraff milling around to contend with. Nice!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 13, 2025, 10:50:44 AM
Those Gold Star folks are annoying, and stole my nomenclature.  I have the license plate, they don't.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 13, 2025, 11:06:06 AM
I learned that Costco, starting Jun 30, will open 1 hour earlier (9 AM) for executive members only.

So not only can I get my weekly Costco trip done earlier in the day, I'll have fewer "Gold Star Member" riffraff milling around to contend with. Nice!

What is the executive member cover charge?

It's a cool $200 for us lowly Gold Star dregs.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 11:29:38 AM
What is the executive member cover charge?

It's a cool $200 for us lowly Gold Star dregs.
$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 13, 2025, 11:36:41 AM
$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year.

I think you misunderstood.

The joke is....you can't go in to Costco without dropping $200 bucks (cover charge).  

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 13, 2025, 11:38:47 AM
$200??? Gold Star is $65/year and Executive is $130/year. But with the Executive 2% cash back I not only cover the difference between the two memberships... I cover about 2x the cost of the membership every year.
Yup we've had Executive for years, ever since the kids were in diapers.  Saved a ton of money on formula back in the day.

But the Costcos in the Austin area have opened at 9 AM for Executive members for... years.  As long as I can remember, actually.  

Still, don't get too excited.  They don't check all that closely,  and the dirty, unwashed, huddled masses of goldstars will still come through the doors at 9AM.  The benefit is that most of those savages don't know about it, so that's the advantage.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 11:49:42 AM
I think you misunderstood.

The joke is....you can't go in to Costco without dropping $200 bucks (cover charge). 
Ahh, got it... Yeah, if I get out of there for even CLOSE to $200, it's a light week lol...

Including gas, we spend on average $1K/mo at Costco. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 13, 2025, 11:56:13 AM
Friday is a WFH day for me.  I finished out yesterday without much to do today.  Had a meeting scheduled for 10:30 but that got canceled.  I basically have nothing work-related to do.

I am about to get some serious stuff done around this place.

lolz, j/k, I'm going to take the dog for a walk and then probably forcefully and dynamically nap on the couch.  

(if you're wondering what about this made me happy today, it's all of it)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 13, 2025, 12:10:19 PM
Friday is a WFH day for me.  I finished out yesterday without much to do today.  Had a meeting scheduled for 10:30 but that got canceled.  I basically have nothing work-related to do.

I am about to get some serious stuff done around this place.

lolz, j/k, I'm going to take the dog for a walk and then probably forcefully and dynamically nap on the couch. 

(if you're wondering what about this made me happy today, it's all of it)

The US Open could make for some good "napping to".  Golf is great napping background noise.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 12:12:24 PM
The US Open could make for some good "napping to".  Golf is great napping background noise.
Yep. And it's playing like a bloodbath so far. Only 8 players right now below par. 

If you like watching golfers get punished by tough conditions... It's certainly that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 13, 2025, 12:18:41 PM
Yep. And it's playing like a bloodbath so far. Only 8 players right now below par.

If you like watching golfers get punished by tough conditions... It's certainly that.

I'll be on it all weekend.  Father's Day weekend, and thunderstorms in the forecast for today through Tuesday.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 13, 2025, 12:34:00 PM
Not today, but tomorrow, what will make me happy, is that I'll be going on a Brewery Crawl for Father's Day.  Best part-- my now 17yo legally driving daughter, will be our DD.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 01:13:12 PM
Not today, but tomorrow, what will make me happy, is that I'll be going on a Brewery Crawl for Father's Day.  Best part-- my now 17yo legally driving daughter, will be our DD.
Nice!

This is one of those things that gets hard when splitting kids across two households. My son's car is registered at his mom's house and his insurance was added to his mom's plan (which got her multi-car multi-driver discounts; my wife and I already had those). And obviously I pay towards the insurance. 

What we do NOT do is cover him on our own insurance as well, which I'm sure would be expensive. Which means he can't drive any of our cars... Which means we couldn't do the same and make him pull DD duty, unless we went in his car. And I'm not sure any of us want to ride in his 22 year old vehicle...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 13, 2025, 02:15:42 PM
Yeah our daughter is covered as occasional driver on all of our cars.  And yeah it's expensive.

Although in this case, we could just take her car.  Should be decent weather for a convertible Mustang.  :)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 13, 2025, 02:17:24 PM
Which reminds me of something else that makes me happy-- my i s c & a aggie wife's aggie parents, bought a car for my daughter.  And they're about to buy a car for my son.

We're really blessed that they are so generous. 

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 13, 2025, 02:19:26 PM
Which reminds me of something else that makes me happy-- my i s c & a aggie wife's aggie parents, bought a car for my daughter.  And they're about to buy a car for my son.

We're really blessed that they are so generous.



I've bought the entirety of 5 cars for kids.  And helped (1/2) on 2 more.

Ask me why I'm broke.

(Can be moved to the Grumpy Old Man thread.)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 13, 2025, 02:21:53 PM
I went over to the park earlier and threw a baseball against a concrete wall, which is pretty good exercise, and then ran some and did steps.  The ATL Athletic Club added new sand to the track which is much improved now.  They show up on weekends sometimes which is nice because their group includes a number of 20 something females.

The guys run in a group, very fast, as do the ladies.  The track is a 0.55 mile oval and they can turn it in "no time" without breathing hard.  The track used to be used for horses pulling "surries" which have rise to the Piedmont Driving Club which is positioned next to the park, and used to own the entire thing.  The PDC is one of two "elite" ATL clubs.  They aren't one you can "join".  The driving part in the name referred to driving surries.

But I digress.  This area has some peculiar history.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 13, 2025, 02:32:27 PM
I went over to the park earlier and threw a baseball against a concrete wall, which is pretty good exercise, and then ran some and did steps.  The ATL Athletic Club added new sand to the track which is much improved now.  They show up on weekends sometimes which is nice because their group includes a number of 20 something females.

The guys run in a group, very fast, as do the ladies.  The track is a 0.55 mile oval and they can turn it in "no time" without breathing hard.  The track used to be used for horses pulling "surries" which have rise to the Piedmont Driving Club which is positioned next to the park, and used to own the entire thing.  The PDC is one of two "elite" ATL clubs.  They aren't one you can "join".  The driving part in the name referred to driving surries.

But I digress.  This area has some peculiar history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIG_GVE-KiE
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 02:45:25 PM
Another happy thing. Costco just started carrying a mix 24-pack from Alpine Brewing Co. Alpine is a pretty well known brewery in the SoCal region, partly because it for a very long time was nearly impossible to find north of San Diego County. They weren't often even readily available in San Diego, because they were way out in the sticks in, well, Alpine CA. 

Some of you wouldn't like it (it's all IPA), but I'm excited. 

I was lucky enough to go to the brewery once. Myself and a couple other guys did this hike (https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hiking-san-diego/el-cajon-mountain-trail-guide/). It's one that's been described as "going uphill both ways" because while it's MOSTLY an out-uphill / back-downhill hike, there are enough rolling hills that you still have to do some climbing on the way back. 

I thought I was going to die. By the end of that hike, the uphill portions were me maybe making it halfway up the hill, stopping and keeling over until my heart rate came back down, and then struggling to try to go the rest of the way up. The only things that kept me going were A) knowing I'm too effing big for my buddies to carry me out and I wasn't going to let myself fail to where I'd need a "rescue", and B) I knew there would be Alpine beer afterwards. 

Also, they had the Kirkland Alexander Valley Cab that my wife likes. I think @Cincydawg (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=870) had talked about this being a pretty good wine, but I haven't had luck finding it before going to a different area Costco last week. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 13, 2025, 02:52:19 PM
Kirkland labeled wines are nearly all terrific.  They had Chateaneuf du Pape here for $18 a bottle and Vacqueyras for $20.  I won't open the former quite yet.

The California chard they sell is not to my liking, very flabby.  Their box cab is great at that price.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 13, 2025, 03:10:40 PM
And I'm not sure any of us want to ride in his 22 year old vehicle...
Wuss,where's your sense of adventure?I just got rid of 22yr old ride last yr It survived a few pub crawls.A VW Passatt that needed tie rod ends and brakes to a guy who volunteers at the food pantry. He patched it up and gave it to co-worker who went thru divorce who was low on coin - it's still ticking
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 13, 2025, 03:13:44 PM
Kirkland labeled wines are nearly all terrific. They had Chateaneuf du Pape
I go for  the Chez Floyd label myself
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 04:04:42 PM
Kirkland labeled wines are nearly all terrific.  They had Chateaneuf du Pape here for $18 a bottle and Vacqueyras for $20.  I won't open the former quite yet.

The California chard they sell is not to my liking, very flabby.  Their box cab is great at that price.
Yeah, my wife isn't a fan of their chard. BevMo has a house label brand called Unruly that makes a chard she likes, so that's her go-to. 

I recently picked up their red blend on a whim ($7.99 / 1.5L) and she finds it quite drinkable. Prefers a cab most of the time though. 

Wuss,where's your sense of adventure?I just got rid of 22yr old ride last yr It survived a few pub crawls.A VW Passatt that needed tie rod ends and brakes to a guy who volunteers at the food pantry. He patched it up and gave it to co-worker who went thru divorce who was low on coin - it's still ticking
Well, it IS a Toyota Highlander, so even at 130K miles it's running fine. But it's certainly not as comfy as my 11-year old Ford Flex...

And if we're going, we're probably taking his siblings too... 5 people fit more comfortably in the 7-seater Flex than the 5-seater Highlander. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 13, 2025, 04:21:23 PM
Ask me why I'm broke.
The Vols Preferred season package with parking?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 13, 2025, 08:09:36 PM
This makes me happy...

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 13, 2025, 08:13:15 PM
I called an auto shop a few weeks ago about getting my front suspension fixed.  Quoted me about $1500.

I go in to another location, same company yesterday and ask for an estimate.  $2400.
I told them about the price I got over the phone weeks earlier and without any haggling or arguing or anything, they said they'd make it work.  I couldn't even specify which location I had spoken with.

Got it done for $1500.
That's a place I'll come back to, for sure (as long as it doesn't fall apart on my way to Sedona, lol).
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 13, 2025, 08:55:41 PM
I'm happy my yard is mowed

mower waited until I was done to break down
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 14, 2025, 08:09:33 AM
I broke down and opened a bottle of Kirkland Chateauneuf last night, and then another.  *My wife liked it too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 14, 2025, 08:19:18 AM
We're going to see Luke Bryan at Fenway South tonight.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 14, 2025, 11:24:47 AM
headed to a small town 9-hole golf course 10 miles south of here
fundraiser scramble golf tournament for the local fire department/Ambulance
Happy! 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on June 15, 2025, 08:21:51 PM
Very to happy to have a FD without a bunch of forced activity.    great morning diner style breakfast at home, perfectly executed.

finished up plans for upcoming Alaska trip and watched a very entertaining US Open.    Good for Spaun, especially the way his day started.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 15, 2025, 10:45:38 PM












jj had a little tough luck to start but made a couple putts late
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 15, 2025, 10:46:45 PM
Having a few drinks and then a nice dinner at Outback with my youngest daughter made me happy today
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 16, 2025, 01:10:36 AM
We hit up a brewery for lunch, then my wife made shrimp moqueca for me for Father's Day dinner. I'm happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 16, 2025, 06:55:57 AM
up a little early this morning, but for a good reason....... headed to a golf outing near Des Moines - large scramble event that starts at 10am. about (30) 6-man teams followed with catered meal and keg by the beach.

Means I'll be on the road at 8am and won't be able to attend the Monday morning Teams meeting!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on June 16, 2025, 12:21:21 PM
Had the kids and their significant others for dinner last night after playing a 9 hole round of par-3 golf with SFIrish. Pretty darned good father's day.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 16, 2025, 02:52:01 PM
I'm happy my yard is mowed

mower waited until I was done to break down
Prolly pissed at that pretty red bitch you keep doting over and keeping clean in the garage
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 16, 2025, 02:53:18 PM
I proclaimed it Father's WEEK.  My wife did not agree.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 16, 2025, 05:31:50 PM
Prolly pissed at that pretty red bitch you keep doting over and keeping clean in the garage
no worries, that pretty young bitch doesn't owe me anything after the past 15-20 years
I'll buy a younger model in a week or so
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Honestbuckeye on June 16, 2025, 06:18:20 PM
Waking up with all the cabin windows open, 58 degrees and knowing it will hit 80 today.  Great Bass/perch/pike lake calling me.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 16, 2025, 09:05:24 PM
Landed in Madrid in the afternoon, cleared customs and checked into a hotel in central Madrid. First trip to Spain - first order of business is ordering a Sangria in its native lands:

(https://i.imgur.com/GY9FlMw.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 07:12:13 AM
I slept though the night until 7 AM, went to bed 11:30, didn't drink last night.  Small things.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 09:43:08 AM
Last night we finished getting our vacation plans squared away.  I wanted to fly somewhere a bit further.  Either a tour-de-Tennessee with a couple nights in Pigeon Forge which is very pretty, a couple nights near Nashville so I could touch base with some old friends (which is also very pretty), and maybe a night or two in Memphis to visit my mom.  Or I had Colorado Springs on the menu, which is very pretty and would give us a chance to see Mrs. DeT's dad.  Or another trip to Arizona where we went several years ago....maybe Sedona again....which, again, was very pretty.  

Mrs. DeT wasn't in the mood for any of that and wanted to take less days off so she'd have more time off for Christmas/New Year and opted for something within easy driving distance.  She voted for another trip to the Texas Hill Country for just a few days, which I've learned is her default get-away trip.  As I mentioned, I'd rather travel a bit further and see something a little more different as central Texas is not overly exciting to me since I lived there for a number of years.  The plus side is I know where everything is and how to get around with no maps or GPS and it's a very comfortable, easy trip because of that.  

Most importantly, she's happy, and the Airbnb she found looks really nice with a beautiful view overlooking a valley.  It's not too far from San Marcos, so I'll probably get to visit a few of my old haunts and maybe touch base with a few friends there as well.  She absolutely loves the area, and I'm looking forward to the time off.  

Also, since I had put away for bigger/longer trip and this won't cost near as much as I was planning on, I've got a head-start on saving up for next year's vacation.

Happy!

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 09:51:47 AM
My wife told me if I ever take her through Pigeon Forge again, we're done.

I can't stand the place either.

If we go to the area we stay in Townsend.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 09:55:43 AM
I like the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area, though it's been close to 20 years since I've been.  It was a recurring vacation site for my family growing up, I have a lot of good memories there.  

Chattanooga is also very nice.  Scenic views outside of it, anyway.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 09:57:42 AM
I suppose I've been through Townsend on the way to Cade's Cove, but I don't remember it. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 09:59:21 AM
We used to drive through Gatlinburg and PF on the way to my grandparents several times a year, they lived outside Sevierville.  Pigeon Forge back then was about 4 small motels, a couple restaurants, the mill, and a lot of corn fields.  I just dislike what it has become.

Put this in the Grumpy Old Man thread.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 10:00:16 AM
Yeah.  Go piss in my corn flakes over there.  Not in the what made me happy today thread.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 10:01:33 AM
I suppose I've been through Townsend on the way to Cade's Cove, but I don't remember it.
Townsend is on the Maryville side of Cade's Cove, so it you went to CC from Gatlinburg, you didn't go to Townsend, unless you came out using the Rich Mountain road.

There are two little known little used exits from Cade's Cove aside from the main one.


Rich Mountain Road: The Most Underrated Scenic Drive in the Smokies (https://www.myinnontheriver.com/blog/rich-mountain-road-underrated-scenic-drive-smokies/)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 17, 2025, 10:02:24 AM
We used to drive through Gatlinburg and PF on the way to my grandparents several times a year, they lived outside Sevierville.  Pigeon Forge back then was about 4 small motels, a couple restaurants, the mill, and a lot of corn fields.  I just dislike what it has become.

Put this in the Grumpy Old Man thread.

It inevitably became a touristy, economic goldmine.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 17, 2025, 10:03:27 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra1AEFbCQn0
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 10:04:44 AM
There also is a Parson's Branch Road to the south out of Cades Cove.  Both of these are gravel and one way.  I've done Rich Mountain but not Parson's.

Cades Cove is smothered these days with traffic.

Townsend advertises as the "Quiet Side of the Smokies".  It has some clean motels not too pricey and enough restaurants to be OK.  It's is starting to be built up though.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 10:06:33 AM
It inevitably became a touristy, economic goldmine.

BUT, a touristy, economic goldmine with a ton of gorgeous scenery to drive around and take in.  That's really my attraction, I can do without all the shows and tourist stuff in the actual town.  I mostly just like to see pretty nature scenes.  

There was something called the Alpine Slide in either Gatlinburg of PF that I had a blast on as a kid.  I'd probably do that again.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 17, 2025, 10:08:28 AM
BUT, a touristy, economic goldmine with a ton of gorgeous scenery to drive around and take in.  That's really my attraction, I can do without all the shows and tourist stuff in the actual town.  I mostly just like to see pretty nature scenes. 

There was something called the Alpine Slide in either Gatlinburg of PF that I had a blast on as a kid.  I'd probably do that again. 

We usually take a yearly sojourn over there --- usually while taking in a Vol game.  Stay in Gatlinburg.

It is beautiful, and that's what draws us back time and time again.  I wish to live in East Tennessee eventually.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 12:07:45 PM
Quick OT aside since you mentioned going to a Vols game.  

My dad lived in Knoxville for a year when I was about 8 or 9.  While staying with him in the summer he took me to see Neyland, along with a bunch of other stuff.  I remember thinking it was an impressive structure but I wasn't sure why I was supposed to care or why he was taking me there.  Maybe to go along with taking me to LSU/Ole Miss games when I was growing up, I think he just wanted to show me another venue, another place where other people got together en masse to do the same thing we do back home, but with different colors and different songs.  That might explain why I've always tried to stop and see college football stadiums when traveling, if one is in striking distance.  Never been to a game there, but I have seen the place from the outside.  

It's possible he's just a closet TN fan, but the dude sure has a lot of LSU crap around his house so that he hides it well.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 12:15:00 PM
I had a blast in Gatlinburg as a kid.  Any time our uncles would drive us there was a big deal.  A lot of my aunts worked there, at the Busy Bee I think it was called.

It's interesting how "nice things" can get ruined because people learn they are nice things.  I've driven US 129 now called the Tail of the Dragon a number of times when I was one of 2 or 4 vehicles the entire route, it's not a "good highway", and it's one to avoid today i think.  The Cherohala Skyway is still pretty nice.

My wife likes Highlands.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 17, 2025, 12:23:00 PM
Quick OT aside since you mentioned going to a Vols game. 

My dad lived in Knoxville for a year when I was about 8 or 9.  While staying with him in the summer he took me to see Neyland, along with a bunch of other stuff.  I remember thinking it was an impressive structure but I wasn't sure why I was supposed to care or why he was taking me there.  Maybe to go along with taking me to LSU/Ole Miss games when I was growing up, I think he just wanted to show me another venue, another place where other people got together en masse to do the same thing we do back home, but with different colors and different songs.  That might explain why I've always tried to stop and see college football stadiums when traveling, if one is in striking distance.  Never been to a game there, but I have seen the place from the outside. 

It's possible he's just a closet TN fan, but the dude sure has a lot of LSU crap around his house so that he hides it well. 

I like to take in the "enemies" venues and traditions as well.  Maybe your dad was that way.

The SEC is pretty magical, and I can hate the school on gameday, but still think their "things", and traditions are really cool.

Speaking of "things".  What is this I've seen recently at LSU?  This "suck this Tiger D***, B***h!"

That's not cool.  At all.  @MikeDeTiger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1588) 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 12:31:05 PM
Well, it's actually "suck that Tiger ****, *****," and it's not recent.  It's a chant the student section does along with one of the band's old fight songs, "Neck."  I'm not sure how long it's been going on, but for a long time now.  The university periodically bans the song because the student section (and inevitably other parts of the stadium) starts chanting it.  It has bled through microphones on tv several times that I recall, despite CBS and ESPN's best efforts to cut it out. 

They did that when I was at the A&M game in 2013 with UTerin03 and her husband.  She blushed and asked what was up with that, her husband thought it was hilarious. 

It gets banned, fans complain, they bring it back, more vulgar chants, it gets banned.....

Circle of life. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 17, 2025, 12:34:35 PM
Well, it's actually "suck that Tiger ****, *****," and it's not recent.  It's a chant the student section does along with one of the band's old fight songs, "Neck."  I'm not sure how long it's been going on, but for a long time now.  The university periodically bans the song because the student section (and inevitably other parts of the stadium) starts chanting it.  It has bled through microphones on tv several times that I recall, despite CBS and ESPN's best efforts to cut it out. 

They did that when I was at the A&M game in 2013 with UTerin03 and her husband.  She blushed and asked what was up with that, her husband thought it was hilarious. 

It gets banned, fans complain, they bring it back, more vulgar chants, it gets banned.....

Circle of life. 

"Calling Baton Rouge" cool.

"STTDB" not cool.  And I'm by no means a prude, but Good Lord.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 17, 2025, 12:43:57 PM
There's a chant/cheer break in the middle of our fight song, where the original 30s/40s/50s lyrics say "Hail, Hail, The Gang's all here."

Sometime in the 50s/60s that got switched to "Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, Go Horns Go!" and that's what most of the old folks will say.

But since the 70s at least, Texas students have chanted, during that break, "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, make 'em eat shit."

And then of course when we're playing hated rival OU, it switches to "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, OU sucks."  You can hear this quite clearly on the TV broadcast every time the song is sung, which is after every Texas score and also after forced turnovers or other big plays.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 17, 2025, 12:47:33 PM
Oh and to make it relevant to this thread, chanting "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, OU sucks" whilst watching the Texas Longhorns beat the hell outta OU, makes me happy.

:)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 17, 2025, 12:52:56 PM
Worst one I know of....

We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama....

We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama --- WE'RE FROM TENN-EE-SSEE!

Sung, of course.

Pretty tame compared to "suck this wang, unsavory lady".
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 17, 2025, 12:58:21 PM
Back when I was in school and TTUN's band would play their fight song.  We would sign Hail to those M*****F*****, Hail to those old C***S******, Hail Hail to michigan the cesspool of the world.  and other things along those lines
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 12:58:27 PM
I don't think Dawg fans have a chant over about four words because it's hard to remember more than that.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on June 17, 2025, 01:02:17 PM
My favorite Badger cheer has always been the rewrite of the Budweiser commercial: When you say Wis-con-sin, you've said it all!

That makes me smile, even right now typing it out on this screen. (The polka-ish song is now on repeat in my head.)

That said, as an adult, the "Shoot 'em like a horse" cheer that students hurl at injured players seems a little untoward. (Not sure if they still do that one.) As a student it was great fun.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 17, 2025, 02:00:47 PM
There's a chant/cheer break in the middle of our fight song, where the original 30s/40s/50s lyrics say "Hail, Hail, The Gang's all here."

Sometime in the 50s/60s that got switched to "Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, Go Horns Go!" and that's what most of the old folks will say.

But since the 70s at least, Texas students have chanted, during that break, "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, make 'em eat shit."

And then of course when we're playing hated rival OU, it switches to "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, OU sucks."  You can hear this quite clearly on the TV broadcast every time the song is sung, which is after every Texas score and also after forced turnovers or other big plays.
I don't think the "make 'em eat sh!t" is all THAT bad. It's certainly not on the STTDB level. 

Purdue has tried to quell for a long time the post first down cheer. It started, I think, as "1, 2, 3, 4, FIRST DOWN!" But then got extended to "1, 2, 3, 4, first down, b****!"

But with our recent teams, you don't hear it very often during games any more... We don't cheer that for the OTHER team, after all. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 02:50:00 PM
I don't think the "make 'em eat sh!t" is all THAT bad. It's certainly not on the STTDB level. 

It's nearly impossible to out-vulgar a bunch of Cajuns.  

That said, I want to reiterate that only goes with one song which the band doesn't even play for seasons at a time, and most of the gameday experience in Baton Rouge is outstanding and fun.  

.....in November, when it finally drops below 90 degrees......
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 17, 2025, 03:30:27 PM
My favorite Badger cheer has always been the rewrite of the Budweiser commercial: When you say Wis-con-sin, you've said it all!

That makes me smile, even right now typing it out on this screen. (The polka-ish song is now on repeat in my head.)

That said, as an adult, the "Shoot 'em like a horse" cheer that students hurl at injured players seems a little untoward. (Not sure if they still do that one.) As a student it was great fun.
That stopped about 20 years ago.

I'm not a fan of the "Eat Shit - Fuck You" garbage, which they still do between sections O and P.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on June 17, 2025, 03:37:48 PM
That stopped about 20 years ago.

I'm not a fan of the "Eat Shit - Fuck You" garbage, which they still do between sections O and P.
That's what I thought, but I haven't been anywhere near the student section in a long time--and haven't been to that many home games, either.
Agreed on the O/P "cheers." 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 03:44:48 PM
One of my kids went in and edited my trilogy and made a map, which is awesome.  These books are my stab at fantasy stuff.  I am really not a good proofreader of my own writings.

(https://i.imgur.com/csMklGu.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 03:51:20 PM
I hear the weather and dining options in Twixt are outstanding, but real estate prices are sky high.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2025, 04:08:57 PM
Only beach property is expensive, once you go inland a couple miles there are bargains.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 17, 2025, 06:13:38 PM
That stopped about 20 years ago.

I'm not a fan of the "Eat Shit - Fuck You" garbage, which they still do between sections O and P.
why would anyone be a fan of that?
even drunken college freshmen
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 18, 2025, 08:33:07 AM
Drunken college freshmen are fans of lots of stupid stuff.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 18, 2025, 08:40:02 AM
Yep.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 18, 2025, 08:46:13 AM
It's an indication of how humans will react when in a crowd differently from how many would react by themselves.

We're herd animals.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 18, 2025, 01:34:15 PM
MWF I try to go over to a tennis practice court in the park and throw a baseball off the wall for 30-45 minutes.  I work on control and some other things, it's kind of fun, but sweaty this time of year.  Anyway, today I was walking back across the "quad", which has two soccer fields and two softball fields surrounded by a track, and I cut across it.  A guy was kicking the soccer ball around and the ball landed in front of me, and 50 yards from him, so I walked up to it and kicked it back to him.  And my plant foot slipped on the wet grass and I went down.  It's wet enough that I plopped, and had mud all over my backside and arms.  I was OK, but muddy.  I had a T shirt in my hand and managed to wipe off some of it.  But I was half covered in dark black mud.  

Managed to get home and strip down in our half bath and get off some of the mud, and then make it upstairs to the shower.  I found mud crumbs along my path later.  The shower looked funny a bit, and I was still sweating, I hate to shower when sweating but whatever.  Came down and rinsed off my shorts and T shirt and socks and put them on the deck to dry.  They are a mess.

The happy part is I didn't physically hurt myself.  Yay.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 18, 2025, 02:21:00 PM
just reading that post made me happy
film at eleven would be much better!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 18, 2025, 02:25:21 PM
Yeah, that's one of the things I hate about showering right after a workout... I get out of the shower, and then start sweating again. 

When we went to the brewery on Sunday, my wife had done her Peloton ride first, and then (as usual) I do mine while she's showering and getting ready. It was a pretty heavy 60 minute ride, and as soon as I was done, I hopped right in the shower... Even took a cold shower b/c I was trying to cool off faster. But I started sweating after the shower and had to have the AC in the car blasting on me the entire time we were driving to the brewery to cool me off enough to stop. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 18, 2025, 02:26:38 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcmLcqBHLmg
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 18, 2025, 02:28:29 PM
MWF I try to go over to a tennis practice court in the park and throw a baseball off the wall for 30-45 minutes.  I work on control and some other things, it's kind of fun, but sweaty this time of year.  Anyway, today I was walking back across the "quad", which has two soccer fields and two softball fields surrounded by a track, and I cut across it.  A guy was kicking the soccer ball around and the ball landed in front of me, and 50 yards from him, so I walked up to it and kicked it back to him.  And my plant foot slipped on the wet grass and I went down.  It's wet enough that I plopped, and had mud all over my backside and arms.  I was OK, but muddy.  I had a T shirt in my hand and managed to wipe off some of it.  But I was half covered in dark black mud. 

Managed to get home and strip down in our half bath and get off some of the mud, and then make it upstairs to the shower.  I found mud crumbs along my path later.  The shower looked funny a bit, and I was still sweating, I hate to shower when sweating but whatever.  Came down and rinsed off my shorts and T shirt and socks and put them on the deck to dry.  They are a mess.

The happy part is I didn't physically hurt myself.  Yay.

Careful there, old-timer!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 18, 2025, 05:03:32 PM
Finally got a bookshelf in this office I got moved into!

Now I can finally pick up my office crap off the floor and quit looking like I'm a hoarder who forgot to buy furniture.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 18, 2025, 10:12:43 PM
Drunken college freshmen are fans of lots of stupid stuff.

(https://i.imgur.com/EMpUfUK.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 19, 2025, 07:47:03 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/EMpUfUK.png)
Which one is which?

\Sarcasm
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 19, 2025, 08:00:53 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/ul4ztUZ.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 19, 2025, 08:52:24 AM
I'll be enjoying a cigar on the golf course later.
Received a new shipment from Thompson Cigars yesterday
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 19, 2025, 08:57:46 AM
Got today off, so after some medical appointments I'm gonna meet Mrs. DeT at her job and bring her lunch.  We never get to see each other during the day on work days, so that will be nice.  

I noticed the commode acting up this morning, I think it's time to replace the fill valve, so I'll probably stop by Lowe's on the way home and take care of that this afternoon.  I like fixing things, I like it even better when it's an easy fix.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 19, 2025, 01:24:47 PM
Pool, A Cuban cigar and beer.  Life is good

(https://i.imgur.com/toLqV9m.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 19, 2025, 02:33:51 PM
My wife wanted to go to a farm and pick peaches, so I set it up for today, to a place about 35 miles to our south.  Got there, the place is kind of a mob scene, cars parked deep in a grassy area.  We go up to pay and the young couple in front of us with a small kid paid $55.  To pick peaches.  Huh.   When I was a kid, we'd do this and come back to a farmer standing at  the edge who'd look at your bags and say "Yup, about a dolluh and half."

So, we turned around and went to their main store which had peaches already picked at an OK price and some other things.  Spent $29 on stuff, my wife said just now the peach she ate was really good.  On the way back, I stopped at Panola Monutain State Park and we walked around a bit.  They have an interesting nature center, you can't walk on the mountain except on guided tours, usually one a week.  It's like a small "Stone Mountain" (which is pretty large) but has been preserved from humans, mostly.

Drove back the back roads a bit and had lunch at Fox Bros which is always a good idea.  I tried their ribs, which ... are not as good as their brisket.  Have plenty left over for dinner.  My wife is cooking some of the peaches, they are ones she bought that are bruised.  Doesn't make a lot of sense to pay extra for "fresh" and then cook them, but whatever.

I'm a bit tired now and not hungry, may take a nap.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 19, 2025, 02:42:13 PM
I like peaches.  Peach cobbler makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 19, 2025, 02:43:14 PM
They should name a state after peaches.  Or maybe a bowl game.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 19, 2025, 02:51:22 PM
Eat a Peach.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 19, 2025, 02:55:25 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/1dk51Gu.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 19, 2025, 02:55:39 PM
Wife and I are both off today for Juneteenth. 

I did a Peloton ride that I thought wouldn't be too hard. It's called sprint interval training. In a 45 minute ride there's only 195 seconds of hard work... Literally 30 second, 20 second, and 15 second efforts, with 3 minutes of recovery in between, repeated 3 times. But oh my god those efforts... Ouch. I was on the floor for 20 minutes after I got off the bike... I'm happy--because I survived lol.

(https://i.imgur.com/k28OZ5J.png)

She's running an errand, and then when she gets back we're going to head out to a local brewery with the dog and have a nice lunch. That will be nice and happy too. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 19, 2025, 05:10:49 PM
My wife got rear-ended on the freeway in traffic on the way home. But... She's perfectly fine, and there's no damage to the car. So that makes me happy relieved. 

And we had a nice time at the brewery where she had some prosecco to calm her nerves afterwards lol.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 19, 2025, 05:16:11 PM
Glad everyone's okay.  

"If I could just get off of that LA Freeway without getting killed or caught..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLwYKkxo9Dc

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 20, 2025, 07:56:40 AM
my schedule for today makes me happy

8am - go to the golf course
midnight - return from the golf course

and it's all paid for!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 21, 2025, 12:20:32 PM
My oldest just found out he scored 1530 on the SAT. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Honestbuckeye on June 21, 2025, 05:02:42 PM
Shooting 40 on my first 9 holes since full knee replacement.   (Not so great on back- 45 for 85)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 21, 2025, 08:28:22 PM
Power came back on after two days 84° in the house.AC kicking in after cleaning the condenser coil 😎
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 21, 2025, 10:31:48 PM
getting home after thurssay, friday saturday golf tournaments with free drinks

I need a nap
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 21, 2025, 10:46:44 PM
getting home after thurssay, friday saturday golf tournaments with free drinks

I need a nap
Yeah, you are slurring your speech. :043:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 09:15:31 AM
Guess what makes me happy today.

Hint:  it could also go in the CWS thread :)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2025, 09:18:33 AM
I'm unsure if my 6 hour drive and 2-day trip to Wichita will make me happy
but, there's a reception to attend at happy hour with free food & drink!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 10:22:12 AM
My oldest just found out he scored 1530 on the SAT.

Holy cow!  I'm more familiar with the ACT, and that's like the equivalent of scoring a 35 on the ACT.  

I knew a highly intelligent guy in high school who scored a 33, and he was accepted into the Air Force Academy.  Colleges must be lining up for your son.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 23, 2025, 10:25:19 AM
Holy cow!  I'm more familiar with the ACT, and that's like the equivalent of scoring a 35 on the ACT. 

I knew a highly intelligent guy in high school who scored a 33, and he was accepted into the Air Force Academy.  Colleges must be lining up for your son. 
We're hoping. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 10:25:57 AM
We're hoping.
Colleges lining up is good.

Scholarship providers lining up is even better! 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 23, 2025, 06:07:38 PM
Power came back on after two days 84° in the house.AC kicking in after cleaning the condenser coil 😎
Actually non of that is accurate the unit did come on and started to run but kicked out.Had a tree take out some wires after high winds the wires stopped the tree from landing on a neighbors garage. However two poles were snapped between 7 houses. So after having no power for two days when it was restored it evidently smoked the start capacitor on the condensor.So now two straight days over 90° w/o A.C. and hopefully the tech comes back with the right part he thought he had on his truck. Otherwise another evening in the basement-rec room really or snoozing in front of the fan and open windows
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2025, 08:57:03 PM
Cease fire would do it….
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2025, 09:37:55 PM
agreed, especially if it's a very prolonged cease fire, like a couple decades
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 24, 2025, 08:38:09 AM
My oldest just found out he scored 1530 on the SAT.
👍😎,ya well I got drool on mine from nodding off,Nice job Bwarb. So where is he off to? Gonna become a Boilermaker or Banana Slug?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2025, 09:54:32 AM
👍😎,ya well I got drool on mine from nodding off,Nice job Bwarb. So where is he off to? Gonna become a Boilermaker or Banana Slug?
Taking him to Ann Arbor and West Lafayette in a few weeks for campus tours. He's already been to UC-Berkeley. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 10:05:03 AM
Berkeley would be an easy pick for me outa those 3.
But, I grew up in midwest winters
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2025, 10:16:28 AM
Berkeley would be an easy pick for me outa those 3.
But, I grew up in midwest winters
I think the fact that he's never experienced a Midwest winter [and doesn't want to] makes it his top pick as well...

I mean, on top of the fact that it's a stellar engineering school, of course. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 10:19:16 AM
helluva lot closer to home
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2025, 10:21:05 AM
Georgia Tech is a pretty good engineering school with milder winters.   But then he'd be a nerd.

The state used to hand out National Merit Scholarships, I don't know if Tech does any more.  They look good on a resume though it's not much money.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 10:32:43 AM
My National Merit Scholarship paid for most of my school.  Then a couple of other scholarships from the school of engineering and the local Austin UT alumni chapter paid for the rest.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 10:33:41 AM
Oh, and all engineers are nerds, doesn't matter where they go to school.  Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 10:34:40 AM
Wisconsin was $2,200/year when I was there. Most of it was paid for by others.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2025, 10:38:52 AM
Georgia Tech is a pretty good engineering school with milder winters.  But then he'd be a nerd.
Oh, and all engineers are nerds, doesn't matter where they go to school.  Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas...
Yep. He's already a nerd. 

We're thinking he might apply to GT and that be one of those that we only go visit if his higher priority schools don't accept him. 

He's a bit limited with his intent to be a nuclear engineer, and BSNE programs are not offered at a good number of highly-rated engineering schools as it's a more niche specialty. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 10:51:16 AM
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 10:59:12 AM
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)
Texas A&M ranked #8.  He could be an Aggie!

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 11:02:03 AM
Texas A&M ranked #8.  He could be an Aggie!


:c002:
my nephew is an Aggie
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 11:03:02 AM
Texas A&M ranked #8.  He could be an Aggie!


Wisconsin ranked #3. He'd be better off there and experience a Winter while at it!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 11:03:54 AM
Winter blows.  I don't see you living in Wisconsin.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 11:04:24 AM
Living in the Midwest for 53 years made a man out of a boy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 11:10:18 AM
Sounds like you just weren't smart enough to move, until you got older. 

:57:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 24, 2025, 11:37:12 AM
Texas A&M ranked #8.  He could be an Aggie!

Too nerdy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 11:49:10 AM
Sounds like you just weren't smart enough to move, until you got older.

:57:
I'm older
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 11:55:14 AM
I'm older
Not an engineer, and therefore not as smart.

No offense, of course.


:88:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 12:01:49 PM
no offense taken

dirtfarmers specialize in common or horse sense
apparently we also specialize in harsh weather conditions
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 24, 2025, 12:10:42 PM
harsher??? 90 + the last 3 days
Sounds like you just weren't smart enough to move, until you got older.

:57:
He's good the Freshwater lakes don't dry up around here like the wagon ruts around the 40 Acres
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2025, 12:11:27 PM
Shows what you know.  The wagon ruts haven't had any water since the 50s!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 24, 2025, 12:31:24 PM
I'll show myself out
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2025, 12:57:23 PM
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)
That's apparently grad school, not undergrad. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 01:14:32 PM
Nuclear Engineering, BS - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison (https://engineering.wisc.edu/programs/degrees/nuclear-engineering-bs/)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2025, 01:17:43 PM
Nuclear Engineering, BS - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison (https://engineering.wisc.edu/programs/degrees/nuclear-engineering-bs/)
Not saying they don't offer it... Just that the ranking wasn't for undergrad. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 01:49:42 PM
They're probably the same. UW has always been high in that field. I used to go check out the reactor they had in the Mechanical Engineering Building.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 02:46:45 PM
I've made the decision to retire.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 24, 2025, 03:13:59 PM
I've made the decision to retire.

!!!!!!

I hear Austin is nice  :) 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on June 24, 2025, 03:18:45 PM
Best Nuclear Engineering Programs in America (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings)
(https://i.imgur.com/CIg4uWz.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 03:24:07 PM
I've made the decision to retire.
corngratulations!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on June 24, 2025, 03:24:34 PM
Texas A&M ranked #8.  He could be an Aggie!
Marcus beat me to it. I vaguely recall A&M had a really good program. Small compared to other Depts. 
Word was that most students were ex Nuke Sub navy looking to get a degree. Not sure if true. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2025, 03:25:46 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/CIg4uWz.png)
#8? Meh.

(https://i.imgur.com/MXjyMyE.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2025, 03:31:32 PM
Night at the Wichita Wind Surge Baseball Game - Outfield space with a picnic buffet and space to mingle! (Game 7 pm)

Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
starting the 2nd half of the season tonight
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 06:40:24 AM
If one is headed to grad school, I don't think the undergrad choice matters much, though being stressed as a student to keep up would be good, usually.

Grad school in an engineering field usually is not "worth it" from what I could see.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2025, 06:45:46 AM
It would be worth it for Nuclear Engineering.

Not for Civil. That's what a P.E. is for.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 06:47:16 AM
I had a coworker who had a PhD in ChemEng from Columbia, smart guy, but very unmotivated.  He was my "idle" sic.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 08:09:18 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/X0GZqwp.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 25, 2025, 09:09:30 AM
My 9 am meeting got canceled.  This is shaping up to be a good Wednesday already.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 09:38:31 AM
I'm going to a lunch meeting in Hays KS
Gonna spot by Wildcat Forever's office
If Colton is there, I'll be happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 10:23:20 AM
I'm going to a lunch meeting in Hays KS
Gonna spot by Wildcat Forever's office
If Colton is there, I'll be happy
Tell ol' WildcatWhateva howdy for me.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 11:28:44 AM
My dental checkup went fine, stopped at Chick-Fil-A on the way home.  It's OK.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 11:32:01 AM
So you were unimpressed with CfA?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 11:40:29 AM
It was what I expected, I was neither impressed nor depressed.  My wife met me after my appointment and we happened to be standing next to it discussing where to have lunch.  She didn't want to walk very far.  I've certainly had much worse chicken in my life, and occasionally better.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2025, 12:32:58 PM
White Castle makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 04:47:40 PM
My 18 year old son is arriving home today, after a year in Salt Lake City.  I pick him up at the Airport at 6 PM.

I'm happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 25, 2025, 05:12:40 PM
I woke up this morning, played a round of golf  had a couple of cigars during the round. Ate lunch after the round with a cold beer.  Life is good
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 25, 2025, 07:08:11 PM
I woke up this morning, played a round of gold
ya played around with gold,ya well I'd be happy to. But I do have some Dortmunder Gold Lager in the Fridge so I'm not to teary

(https://i.imgur.com/Ia1yWWf.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 25, 2025, 08:43:05 PM
ya played around with gold,ya well I'd be happy to. But I do have some Dortmunder Gold Lager in the Fridge so I'm not to teary

[img width=234.333 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/Ia1yWWf.png[/img]
Why proofread when I can entertain with my typos 🙃

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on June 25, 2025, 09:14:30 PM
So you were unimpressed with CfA?
High floor, low ceiling food. Never a thing I really need to get, but at times a lot better than any of the other options.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on June 25, 2025, 09:15:09 PM
Realizing I might have a good chance to slip out to a couple of high school football games in the fall. That should be fun.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 10:30:31 PM
With two kids in marching band I see a lot of high school football games these days.  Some of them are pretty good too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 25, 2025, 10:43:58 PM
How many instruments do they have? 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 11:03:06 PM
too many
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 11:09:22 PM
I had a local Irish Red ale (Barn Burner) with my Wings on a Wednesday night at the Nebraska Ale Works in Kearney

(https://i.imgur.com/VAGeuHe.jpeg)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 26, 2025, 07:11:04 AM
Nicely paired you Foodie
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 09:57:37 AM
I've been posting here (or this site's predecessors) for 19 years.  

I like you clowns, I've met a number of you multiple times, and whether or not you like me and despite the fact you root for the wrong teams and have weird politics, I think of a lot of you as friends.  

That makes me happy.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 10:03:36 AM
Same here amigo.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 26, 2025, 10:09:40 AM
Tell ol' WildcatWhateva howdy for me.
unfortunately, the wheatfield lawyer was in court and actually working at 1:06 in the afternoon
his secretary seemed to be genuine in her story
I did get a text from him later.
He seems to be doing well.
Hays, KS seems to be a nice town.  I was not expecting as much.  Small college there. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2025, 10:20:51 AM
I was very touched some twenty years ago (coming up in August) by how so many posters here responded when I was in a bad way.

I still am.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 11:07:35 AM
I've been posting here (or this site's predecessors) for 19 years. 

I like you clowns, I've met a number of you multiple times, and whether or not you like me and despite the fact you root for the wrong teams and have weird politics, I think of a lot of you as friends. 

That makes me happy. 
It's crazy to me that I've been posting with some of you since 1997, which by my recollection is about 2 years after the internet was actually a real thing.  Maybe 3 years, because I started college in 1994 and I think I got online at school either that year or the next (1994 or 1995) for the first time.  Unfortunately I wasn't on the CFB News site or whatever it was that many of you posted to but I was on the original CNNSI site with utee and JCG (Hooky Hornstein, whatever his other names were through the years).  We moved several times over the years after CNNSI shutdown, Winged Helmet had a site, Dustin R had a site, several others that escape me.  When Dustin's site shut down (whatever happened to him?) I was homeless for awhile, and finally did a search for "Hooky Hornstein" and stumbled onto this one.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on June 26, 2025, 12:17:27 PM
I hardly ever post, but I find this site (and HuskerMatwitter.com) to be my go-to place for fun times reading and sometimes communicating with my fellow football fans - regardless of school affiliation; we are all just fans of the sport, I think.  When I do post, I tend to blather on, and I never know what weird tangent we might go on, but it is always fascinating and usually brings a smile to my face.  I find it comforting to see how this group rallies around one another in times of need from all parts of the country and no matter our sport, political, or religious affiliations - we are all in the same boat of humanity.  Makes me happy and hopeful for the future. 

my husband may think I am a bit nuts, and he makes fun of my Husker devotion at times, but he says at least this way I can inflict my sportsdom on someone who appreciates my craziness, and he can go off and do his thing without inflicting his craziness on me, lol.  This always makes me happy.  

My doctor visit yesterday revealed what I was a bit afraid of; bilateral hip osteoarthritis - so some adjustments to be made with my trips to the games this year; handicap parking lot and the golf shuttle that takes me right to the northwest corner of the stadium.  All I need to do is exchange my tickets with row 55 seating to the mobility assistance seating in row 7.  So game enjoyment without too much pain!  Woo hoo! And that makes me the happiest of all!  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 26, 2025, 12:25:16 PM
With two kids in marching band I see a lot of high school football games these days.  Some of them are pretty good too.
Having been officiating High School football for 25 years, I have seen a lot of high school football games, most just aren't that good, but the good ones are worth the bad ones. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 12:28:26 PM
Always good to see you around @huskerdinie (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=14) !

Having been officiating High School football for 25 years, I have seen a lot of high school football games, most just aren't that good, but the good ones are worth the bad ones.
Yeah, our kids' high school regularly competes for 5A state titles, and their archrival won the state 6A championship last year, and overall the district is pretty good, so many of the games I get to see are pretty high-quality Texas football games.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 01:24:23 PM
Always good to see you around @huskerdinie (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=14) !
Yeah, our kids' high school regularly competes for 5A state titles, and their archrival won the state 6A championship last year, and overall the district is pretty good, so many of the games I get to see are pretty high-quality Texas football games.
The only thing I have to brag about my HS Football team is that we had the #1 NFL pick this last season.  Other than that we're not very good.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 26, 2025, 01:27:00 PM
New boat got delivered today, and the old one taken away.

Double happy!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 01:29:41 PM
New boat got delivered today, and the old one taken away.

Double happy!
(https://y.yarn.co/4fc9cdd8-eda6-49a6-88a9-8738435e89ff_text.gif)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2025, 01:47:17 PM
My senior year in HS, the football coach asked me to come onto the team and play tight end.  Bear in mind, I had never played organized football before, and I was 6'4" and 175 pounds.  I declined, I wanted to focus on the two bballs, but looking back I find it remarkable he needed a TE with no prior experience, and I probably would have started.  The team ended up "defeated" as I recall, I think they managed a tie.

The HS now is a football powerhouse, the ethnicity of the students has changed a lot.

The HS nearest me now has a rather impressive stadium (for Georgia) that I understand was built for the Olympics as a practice field.  I don't think they win many football games though.

(https://i.imgur.com/UL98qzg.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 26, 2025, 02:06:30 PM
My high school was a football powerhouse as well. The home of Red Grange... Two of the four years I was there we went to the state championship, and then they went either the year before I got there or the year after to make it 3 of 5. 

We competed in 5A which was the biggest in Illinois at the time IIRC. I think a couple of the championships were against Mount Carmel, a private school that was too small in enrollment for 5A, but was able to recruit for football, so they punched WAY above their weight class...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 26, 2025, 02:19:17 PM
Mount Carmel is still a powerhouse program.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on June 26, 2025, 06:55:41 PM
With two kids in marching band I see a lot of high school football games these days.  Some of them are pretty good too.
That was the only way I was able to watch games when I was in high school - I played flute in the marching band so got in free to all football and basketball games (the only two sports teams we had, lol).  Loved the atmosphere and it hooked me on football (not so much basketball-our gyms were so small it was downright dangerous with the band right next to the court).  Played in summer marching bands where we would play at a lot of rodeo parades like the Days of '76 in Rapid City and Deadwood and a couple years I lived in a town where we had regular Thursday evening concerts in the band shell at the park.  Good times.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 26, 2025, 11:30:59 PM
had a martini, a 30-day dry aged steak and a beer at my favorite place
they are closed and on vacation for the month of July, so........... got it done!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 27, 2025, 10:49:43 AM

We competed in 5A which was the biggest in Illinois at the time IIRC. I think a couple of the championships were against Mount Carmel, a private school that was too small in enrollment for 5A, but was able to recruit for football, so they punched WAY above their weight class...

In FL, before all the private school nonsense took over, we had a rural 3A school that could have beaten most 5A teams - Lake Butler.  Their uniforms looked like LSU.  We didn't play them, but in the mid-late 90s, they were scary.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2025, 11:12:39 AM
When I was a kid, the main HS in Augusta was Richmond Academy (public depite the name).  Often they'd run off ten wins in a row and then play Valdosta and get beat 41-3 or something bad like that.  Valdosta recruited all over south Georgia.  If some junior high player looked good, his Dad would get offered a really nice job in Valdosta.

Now one of the powers is Lowndes Academy, also in Valdosta, which still has that HS.  Some of the schools around ATL have major programs because they have money and "feeder programs" at the lower levels.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 27, 2025, 12:22:32 PM
Their uniforms looked like LSU.  We didn't play them, but in the mid-late 90s, they were scary.

In the mid-late 90s, they probably could've beaten actual LSU.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 27, 2025, 03:11:46 PM
Today I took my 17yo daughter down to the UT campus for an official campus tour and visit, and she really liked it and said she can imagine herself going to school there.

It was a good day.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 27, 2025, 05:08:02 PM
Saw the cardiologist. Things are good. Took me off of one med that was causing headaches and weight gain and another that causes water retention. He replaced those two things with one thing.

I'm happy.

And even more happy when I come off of the blood thinner in a few months. I used to be able to give blood and not even use a bandage after. Now I bleed like crazy when I scratch a no-see-um bite. I also bruise easy. Never was a bruiser. (This last bit was a grumpy part - sorry.)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 27, 2025, 05:17:54 PM
Tonight we're headed back downtown with my daughter, to go to an outdoor concert just off campus.  One of my favorite rock/blues musicians of all time, Ian Moore, is playing.

We've always played a lot of our favorite music for the kids, and several years back, my daughter realized that she too really loves Ian Moore's music.  We've been unable to take her to hear him live since he typically plays 21+ clubs, but tonight it's an outdoor concert open to all, and on top of that it's free!

So the good day shall continue.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on June 27, 2025, 05:31:04 PM
Saw the cardiologist. Things are good. Took me off of one med that was causing headaches and weight gain and another that causes water retention. He replaced those two things with one thing.

I'm happy.

And even more happy when I come off of the blood thinner in a few months. I used to be able to give blood and not even use a bandage after. Now I bleed like crazy when I scratch a no-see-um bite. I also bruise easy. Never was a bruiser. (This last bit was a grumpy part - sorry.)
Well if you're not not bleeding a little after donation that's like having gravy in your veins.Good that things are getting balanced out for you. Probably good he put you on thinners. I've donated since like '89 and those needles are good bit bigger in Dia. than those that they fetch blood samples or I.V.s with. How are the stents doing they put in to you?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 28, 2025, 09:34:19 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbg5aXk7sTw
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 29, 2025, 08:12:43 AM
I woke up, again .......
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 29, 2025, 08:22:03 AM
I woke up to rain, again
Drought might finally be over - for a while
10:30 tee time
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 29, 2025, 02:11:07 PM
Heading to an outdoor bar/restaurant where one of my favorite acoustic bands is playing.  Going to be over 110 degrees and I will smoke a couple of cigars.  Should be a happy day. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on June 30, 2025, 08:05:57 AM
I don't enjoy a cigar as much when it's really hot
didn't have one on the back 9 yesterday for that reason

I was happy that I filled the Vette with gas and rolled over 4,000 miles
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on June 30, 2025, 12:13:31 PM
I don't enjoy a cigar as much when it's really hot
didn't have one on the back 9 yesterday for that reason

I was happy that I filled the Vette with gas and rolled over 4,000 miles
Smoked a Montecristo Churchill that was fantastic
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on June 30, 2025, 02:31:29 PM
Uhhh..... wrong thread?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 30, 2025, 03:57:36 PM
I just did a live ride on Peloton for my 600th ride total. The instructor Emma Lovewell called out my leaderboard name for the milestone. Of course she was calling out the first half of longer names for milestones, so it was "buhbye, 600!" rather than "buhbyebeergut, 600!" :57:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on June 30, 2025, 06:37:10 PM
Limited out on Halibut in about an hour this morning.   That was fun for the four of us fishing.  We then caught 7 salmon in about an hour too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on June 30, 2025, 06:40:02 PM
I had the pool to myself, again today, swam a bit.  There were two ladies sunning themselves, and no, they weren't all that attractive.  I can't really "get" the idea of lying down in the sun for an hour or more to get a tan.  I lie down on a towel for 15 minutes to mostly dry off.  It's boring.

The other thing about "sun bathing" is how folks want to be by a pool or the beach when they could just go outside somewhere, or in our case, up to the common area on the roof.  The pool is in full view of the elevator room, so everyone checks you out.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 07:42:26 AM
I picked my first two tomatoes yesterday, they were very tasty.  Growing them on the deck.  Have several more coming in a few.

I have some Bell peppers coming along also.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 07:47:28 AM
it's 66 degrees this morning, slept well with the windows open last night, cooling the house before this afternoon's expected high of 88.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2025, 07:48:17 AM
I don't have a headache anymore. Happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 07:54:55 AM
I had no alcohol last night, so I slept well, 7 hours, didn't get up in between.  My weekday no booze effort is doing pretty well, I need to extend it a bit.  I'm not losing weight.

I don't feel any "need" to drink when I don't, but if I have "one glass", it all starts up, spiraling down.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 07:57:14 AM
not sure cutting alcohol is a sure fire weight loss solution, but it doesn't hurt
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 08:24:26 AM
not sure cutting alcohol is a sure fire weight loss solution, but it doesn't hurt
Yeah, it isn't that much of a factor I'm learning.  My kid told me the pounds would melt away.  I have not adjusted my diet much at all, and I like nuts as a snack.  Nuts are loaded with calories.  I'm also "working out" as best I can, I swim some nearly every day.  I think basically what took 40 years to add doesn't go away in 40 weeks.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 08:49:36 AM
well, high gravity beer pairs well with nuts, so.......... that could be a factor
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 10:02:15 AM
I got our tax refund from the state today, $500.  I would have preferred  that higher income folks not get it, but whatever.

I guess I'll do something with it I wouldn't have done otherwise?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2025, 10:03:37 AM
Donate it.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 10:09:06 AM
Good idea.  I have a fund set up for that already.  There is a group that looks really good for rehabilitating homeless.

Georgia Works | Georgia Works transforms chronically homeless men into self-sufficient and productive members of society. (https://georgiaworks.net/)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2025, 10:25:33 AM
That looks good to me.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2025, 10:51:49 AM
Good idea.  I have a fund set up for that already.  There is a group that looks really good for rehabilitating homeless.

Georgia Works | Georgia Works transforms chronically homeless men into self-sufficient and productive members of society. (https://georgiaworks.net/)


Or send it to Drew.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 11:56:20 AM
I like the idea of an easy option to send funds for this site.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2025, 12:41:01 PM
I do it through Pay Pal every month.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 02:01:13 PM
I have Venmo now
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 01, 2025, 02:02:36 PM
I have Venmo now
Welcome to 2015!

Of course, PayPal owns Venmo, so...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 02:07:48 PM
unloading my brand new 42" Cub Cadet ridin lawn mower a few minutes ago makes me happy

(https://i.imgur.com/Iz16SPs.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2025, 02:08:43 PM
Welcome to 2015!

Of course, PayPal owns Venmo, so...
my daughters prefer Venmo
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 02:50:32 PM
We walked over to my favorite Italian place for lunch, and sat outside, watching the passerby and cars and .., the tiny robot delivery vehicles.  They are quite funny, rather easily confused, and will turn around for no obvious reason and retrace, then turn around an go back.  They are pretty good at crossing the street, they seem able to read the crossing signals, and of course cars.  Some of the pedestrians were taking photos, like my wife.  Lunch was good as usual, and we chatted with the owner, a nice lady from Seoul originally.  The chefs are "Mexicans" and do a pretty good Italian meal.  They weren't very busy with concerns me a bit.

Then I walked to the Midtown Alliance office because I "won" a T shirt, and got a quick look at their offices.  Meanwhile, I'm trying to apply for a "homestead exemption", but that process does not belong here, at all.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 01, 2025, 03:01:10 PM
One thing that bothers me, brought on by the donating posts before a happiness:
idk how often it is, maybe for a month each year, maybe not, the self-check out at Walmart asks for a donation when you pay.  It irks me greatly that they don't just do this by zip code - why are a bunch of barely-hanging on people in a poor area being asked to donate money they don't have?!?!!  Draw some median income level line and only push it out through those store locations, please.  And shit, if it's all connected, draw another line and those donations go towards discounting the cost totals at store locations below that line!  

Anywho, socialism, evil, blah blah, I know.

Today is my dad's 70th birthday.  I didn't think he'd live this long.  He hasn't taken care of himself very well, but he's still puttering around and working in his career field.  It's great.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 01, 2025, 03:03:54 PM
Glad to hear about your pops, good news indeed.

Mine is 84 years old and still going strong, makes me happy too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 03:17:30 PM
I mentioned to my wife as we were watching the little robots stumbling around midtown that my Dad was born in 1917, and told me he saw his first automobile in 1925.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 03:46:27 PM
Waffle House whisks out egg subcharge – WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta (https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/waffle-house-whisks-out-egg-subcharge/6DZ7MSNBSFCVBORAOSKVCAJG4A/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem_manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawLRGkRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFzSHU3REdFZUFlVmt5c2lUAR61SrK0Mq-Be1AHgJpUSg7mMwUfvLMHajzVNbnjPqt_xOyJZ7Fpn1dk6TFuCg_aem_xI5yf4tSwLHgMTNaWlFY0g)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 01, 2025, 04:16:01 PM
Scheduled a virtual happy hour Saturday with our good friends (my college buddy) that moved out to NC a few years ago. Definitely looking forward to that. Good to hang out with a fellow left-handed Polish electrical engineer. Great minds think alike... Sometimes ours do too!

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 01, 2025, 04:19:38 PM
A while ago I gave a presentation I called "AI In The University Setting" to our data governance officer, after which she asked for my powerpoint and speaking notes.  Today she came to my office and said she talked with one of the Vice Provosts who heads up our AI Taskforce (my words, not theirs) and they decided to ask me to be on their AI Taskforce committee thingy.  From what I gather, they set policy for the university regarding the use of AI and stay abreast of developments, news, software, etc.

There's no promotion or a single cent of a raise involved.  In fact, it sounds like it will just mean more meetings.  But, I figure if I stick around this place it won't hurt to hobnob with some upper management types.  

I guess it means the lady thought enough of my presentation to put me in a position to offer input.  So that's something.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 01, 2025, 04:24:21 PM
Scheduled a virtual happy hour Saturday with our good friends (my college buddy) that moved out to NC a few years ago. Definitely looking forward to that. Good to hang out with a fellow left-handed Polish electrical engineer. Great minds think alike... Sometimes ours do too!

I really should try harder to keep up with my old friends.  A select few are very special to me and I always welcome the rare times we get together anymore.  I'm not an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of guy, but one would be forgiven for thinking that I am, because I suck when it comes to picking up the phone, shooting a text, making time to visit, etc.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 01, 2025, 04:28:54 PM
A while ago I gave a presentation I called "AI In The University Setting" to our data governance officer, after which she asked for my powerpoint and speaking notes.  Today she came to my office and said she talked with one of the Vice Provosts who heads up our AI Taskforce (my words, not theirs) and they decided to ask me to be on their AI Taskforce committee thingy.  From what I gather, they set policy for the university regarding the use of AI and stay abreast of developments, news, software, etc.

There's no promotion or a single cent of a raise involved.  In fact, it sounds like it will just mean more meetings.  But, I figure if I stick around this place it won't hurt to hobnob with some upper management types. 

I guess it means the lady thought enough of my presentation to put me in a position to offer input.  So that's something. 
Keep us safe!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 01, 2025, 04:29:23 PM
I mentioned to my wife as we were watching the little robots stumbling around midtown that my Dad was born in 1917, and told me he saw his first automobile in 1925.


Just when thought you couldn't be any older....
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 04:41:16 PM
Even "worse", my paternal grandparents were born in 1881 and 1878.  My maternal grandparents were born in 1901.  My mon was oldest in her family and my dad youngest in his.  I, like many, was born after the War, the Big One.

I gather nearly all of us here were as well.

If I had realized I'd live this long ......
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 01, 2025, 04:42:38 PM
A while ago I gave a presentation I called "AI In The University Setting" to our data governance officer, after which she asked for my powerpoint and speaking notes.  Today she came to my office and said she talked with one of the Vice Provosts who heads up our AI Taskforce (my words, not theirs) and they decided to ask me to be on their AI Taskforce committee thingy.  From what I gather, they set policy for the university regarding the use of AI and stay abreast of developments, news, software, etc.

There's no promotion or a single cent of a raise involved.  In fact, it sounds like it will just mean more meetings.  But, I figure if I stick around this place it won't hurt to hobnob with some upper management types. 

I guess it means the lady thought enough of my presentation to put me in a position to offer input.  So that's something. 
Congrats! I find myself getting volunteered for things constantly... But that means that they want me to do more, not want me to go away and no longer draw a salary :72:

I really should try harder to keep up with my old friends.  A select few are very special to me and I always welcome the rare times we get together anymore.  I'm not an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of guy, but one would be forgiven for thinking that I am, because I suck when it comes to picking up the phone, shooting a text, making time to visit, etc. 

I'm very much an out-of-sight, out-of-mind guy. And I need to be better about that, because it's not like at my age I'm making new friends. Pretty much have my wife, my dog, and two friends who live 2000 and 3000 miles away...

And, of course... You guys. :88:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 01, 2025, 05:00:53 PM
And, of course... You guys. :88:
The HORROR!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 01, 2025, 05:52:49 PM
Keep us safe!!!

I think we're past that.  Now, I'm just looking for ways to endear us to Skynet when he finally gets here.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 01, 2025, 06:05:09 PM
Groveling to our robotic overlords, fistfuls of oil change receipts and surge protectors, signifying our allegiance!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 01, 2025, 06:57:40 PM
I'm happy about the AI robots.  I think they're going to end up being way better than actual humans. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2025, 07:11:00 PM
Low bar. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on July 01, 2025, 08:50:34 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Pw6ZBx0IY
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 02, 2025, 01:53:17 PM
I have a cancerous tumor. 

Damn.  

So why's this in the happy thread, you ask?  Because it's a small tumor (that's good) and although this might all change pending the outcome my appointments with urology and oncology, it does not appear to have spread anywhere yet, it should be taken care of with a surgery, and I probably won't have to do chemo or anything like that.  And I'm happy because it was so unlikely to have found this at all.  What happened was, I noticed some bumps under my arms, got them checked by my Doc, which were prominent lymph nodes.  She ordered a chest CT to rule out causes, and the chest CT just happened to show the edge of the kidney, and the radiologist got enough info from that to recommend more tests done on the kidney specifically, which is how this was found.  I asked if it's possible the lymph nodes were swollen due to the cancer, my wife says no, it's just a happy accident that lead to more tests and clued us in before this got any worse.  Again, the doctors will tell us more, but she thinks it's likely most of the kidney will be preserved and though it won't function at 100% after a piece is cut out, it can still function highly.  

I consider this remarkably good fortune, given the circumstances.  

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 02, 2025, 02:01:38 PM
luck is a GREAT thing, and not all doctors are bad
:)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 02, 2025, 02:10:55 PM
That is good, considering.

What was the cause of the swollen lymph nodes?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 02, 2025, 02:25:46 PM
Swollen lymph nodes in armpit: Symptoms, causes, and treatment (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/swollen-lymph-nodes-in-armpit)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 02, 2025, 02:26:57 PM
That is a good news story, net.  Is the small tumor cancerous?  You have the whole group pulling for you obviously.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 02, 2025, 02:28:42 PM
Prayers for you MDT, beat the hell outta this.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 02, 2025, 02:32:09 PM
That is good, considering.

What was the cause of the swollen lymph nodes?

Never figured that one out.  Wife says it's just considered a quirk of my physiology, even though they weren't always like this.  iirc, they usually would enlarge temporarily if you've been injured or have an infection of some sort.  Those did not apply to me.  So the doc ordered the chest CT, and I can't for the life of me remember what she was looking for there, but it was a less likely cause (or causes) for swollen lymph nodes.  That didn't give a reason either.  So at this point the doc says it's "just one of those things."  It made sense to me that maybe the tumor thingy caused it, but the wife says given all the other relevant background data, probably not.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 02, 2025, 02:38:26 PM
That is a good news story, net.  Is the small tumor cancerous?  You have the whole group pulling for you obviously.

Yes, but the imaging suggests it has not spread anywhere and it is likely correctable by cutting out the cancerous piece.  That's preliminary, of course, by which I mean it's my wife's best guess and not something the doctors have told me yet.  But my bloodwork has been good and I'm not symptomatic, so those are all good things.  I'll probably have to do an annual or bi-annual workup for a while, monitored by oncology.  My sense is the worst of this is that it means a bunch more dr. appts. than I'd rather deal with, but I'll take it over chemo, or worse.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on July 02, 2025, 02:40:55 PM
Best of luck Mike.  Kick it's ass ! 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 02, 2025, 02:46:50 PM
I have a cancerous tumor.

Damn. 

So why's this in the happy thread, you ask?  Because it's a small tumor (that's good) and although this might all change pending the outcome my appointments with urology and oncology, it does not appear to have spread anywhere yet, it should be taken care of with a surgery, and I probably won't have to do chemo or anything like that.  And I'm happy because it was so unlikely to have found this at all.  What happened was, I noticed some bumps under my arms, got them checked by my Doc, which were prominent lymph nodes.  She ordered a chest CT to rule out causes, and the chest CT just happened to show the edge of the kidney, and the radiologist got enough info from that to recommend more tests done on the kidney specifically, which is how this was found.  I asked if it's possible the lymph nodes were swollen due to the cancer, my wife says no, it's just a happy accident that lead to more tests and clued us in before this got any worse.  Again, the doctors will tell us more, but she thinks it's likely most of the kidney will be preserved and though it won't function at 100% after a piece is cut out, it can still function highly. 

I consider this remarkably good fortune, given the circumstances. 
See, I told you to get it checked out! Always better to find this stuff early than late. You're welcome :57:

Seriously, though... As much as this sucks, the word "cancer" isn't the same thing it was for any of us 30+ years ago. So hopefully they can knock it out and you'll be good as new once they do. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 02, 2025, 03:10:02 PM
Cancer is a swear word.

F**k it!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 04, 2025, 09:12:07 AM
FORE!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 04, 2025, 04:00:23 PM
Brewing up some Independence Day IPA today :singing:

Other than that being happy, I'm happy that I've finally gotten the issue I was having with my last two batches with a clogged counterflow chiller handled... Turns out when you don't brew for 5 years, things don't work perfectly the first time back. But I've got it handled right now thanks to PBW...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 04, 2025, 04:05:40 PM
My wife likes PBR, I'm not much of a fan.

We continued our July 4th tradition by having lunch outside at the local Indian place, it was exceptionally good today.  I had a 1947 and she had a Dehli mule, which is about the best mixed drink I've ever had.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 04, 2025, 04:25:27 PM
My wife likes PBR, I'm not much of a fan.
FYI PBW wasn't a typo... PBW = Powdered Brewery Wash

One HELL of an effective cleanser...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 04, 2025, 04:26:22 PM
I was kidding.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 04, 2025, 07:59:41 PM
I played a decent round of golf this morning - better than the past couple months - the girls were looking fine, now going out for some food.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 04, 2025, 11:01:28 PM
My dog doesn't freak out over fireworks. That would be stressful, so I'm happy I didn't have to deal with it. 

Also... Ribs.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 05, 2025, 02:02:00 PM
For today... I'm happy my neighbor's house didn't explode. 

Seriously... I got home from walking the dog, and was inside and I heard a "pop" and a big time hissing noise. My windows were open, and then I smelled gas... Called to my wife in the bedroom "we gotta GO!" and we left the house.

Called 911 and the fire department came out--we'd also finally contacted the neighbor, two of the family who were in the house--and the fire department got the supply shut off, and all is safe. Gas company has already been out to replace the faulty bit. 

But that was... uhh... exciting. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 05, 2025, 02:21:09 PM
that could have exceeded 4th of July Fireworks,you get a Yuengling Good Man
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 05, 2025, 02:28:29 PM
Yeah, it was good that I was brewing the beer and running the charcoal grill *yesterday*, not when that thing popped off :57:
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 05, 2025, 04:39:00 PM
shot 39 on the back
missed easy putts on 17 and 18.  18 for birdie
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 05, 2025, 04:59:31 PM
Yeah, it was good that I was brewing the beer and running the charcoal grill *yesterday*, not when that thing popped off :57:
What are you brewing btw - asking for fearless
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 05, 2025, 05:00:09 PM
hopefully NOT an IPA
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 05, 2025, 05:02:01 PM
You might like it it pairs well with humble pie
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 05, 2025, 05:40:57 PM
IPA but my next two batches are pilsner and Oktoberfestbier. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 05, 2025, 05:59:32 PM
Oktoberfestbier b very good to me
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on July 06, 2025, 04:30:43 PM
Just got back from our trip to SD to see my in-laws; most of whom we have not seen in ten years or so.  Had a wonderful time with all but two of hubby's sisters. (there are a total of four girls and two boys in the family).  Watched the fireworks Friday evening at the park got up early and took two days coming back to Lincoln, so some alone time for us.  Averaged 29 mpg and managed to spend less than $150 over the 5 days we were gone.  Yay!  MIL is very fragile and I am glad we made the time to get up there to see her - might be the last time.  

Got home and the kitty cats were so excited to see us-all curled up next to hubby right now.  Great day.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 06, 2025, 05:23:57 PM
Back home to my quiet space.  Slept in my own bed.  It's nice.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 07, 2025, 09:17:41 AM
Travel can be ... a lot of things, but it's great when you like being home.

We are fortunate to live where we like it a lot.  Obviously, this environment is not at all for everyone, but neither is anywhere else.

I'm "happy" to be content with some things in life, including some not very good things.  Give me coffee to change the things I can and ...

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 12:34:53 PM
I just got my buyout agreement. I'm happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 10, 2025, 02:42:27 PM
Drinks on Badge!!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 10, 2025, 03:30:36 PM
the guy hasn't bought me a drink in years!
but, that's partially my fault
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on July 11, 2025, 06:22:01 PM
Had a basal cell removed successfully today. Happy to go to a world class out patient surgery center. A little biased as my wife is the Director of it.  Great staff and care. 

Psa: beyond doing your damn colon screening, take care of your skin,  dont let it slide. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 12, 2025, 07:20:12 AM
windows open all night - 
beautiful morning for golf
(https://i.imgur.com/t70RokE.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 12, 2025, 08:40:50 AM
Had a basal cell removed successfully today. Happy to go to a world class out patient surgery center. A little biased as my wife is the Director of it.  Great staff and care.

Psa: beyond doing your damn colon screening, take care of your skin,  dont let it slide.
I've had several of those taken off. I agree. Gotta have regular skin checks. Especially down here.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 12, 2025, 08:54:48 AM
I've spent way too much time in the sun - have never used sunscreen
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 12, 2025, 10:25:51 AM
FORE!!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 14, 2025, 03:52:02 PM
I just used the word imprimatur in casual conversation with a coworker. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 14, 2025, 03:55:36 PM
So being pretentious makes you happy.  

Purdue grad, checks out.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 14, 2025, 04:05:47 PM
It's only being cocky if you can't back it up. 

(https://i.imgur.com/fV1BaFo.png)

The use of the word was perfectly placed in getting across the specific idea I wanted to convey. So I wasn't just trying to "sound" smart... I am smart ;-)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 14, 2025, 04:08:01 PM
BTW the one thing I absolutely abhor in my industry is the use of buzzwords--to make one sound smart. 

The thing with buzzwords is that they usually are referencing something very real, and something very important. And if you understand the thing they're referencing and can explain it, I've got no problem with anyone using them. 

My issue is those who DON'T understand them, using them to sound smarter than they actually are. That's pretention. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 14, 2025, 04:16:26 PM
It's only being cocky if you can't back it up.

(https://i.imgur.com/fV1BaFo.png)

The use of the word was perfectly placed in getting across the specific idea I wanted to convey. So I wasn't just trying to "sound" smart... I am smart ;-)

Oh, I wasn't denigrating you.  I was applauding you.  

It's a plus on my people-meter for those who use big words correctly.  I award extra credit if others don't know what the word means, you know they don't know what it means, and you use it anyway.  

I might not be pretentious, but I am a dick.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 14, 2025, 04:19:49 PM
I'm not pretentious but I possess an extensive vocabulary.

I just tend to dumb it down for all of you message board yahoos and jackwagons.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 14, 2025, 04:25:37 PM
I'm not pretentious but I possess an extensive vocabulary.

I just tend to dumb it down for all of you message board yahoos and jackwagons.

As I've gotten older, it started working one-way.  I know a ton of expensive words when I hear/read them, but they don't readily spring to mind in conversation like they used to.  

Interestingly, to me, more come to mind when I'm typing as opposed to speaking.  Unless I'm speaking in front of a crowd, in which case something happens and every big word I've ever known will find a way out of my mouth.  Adrenaline, maybe.  Talk about pretentious.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on July 14, 2025, 07:10:29 PM
I found myself reminiscing about old CFB and how offseason build and break for reasons that surprise and make the sport good. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 15, 2025, 07:54:49 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/sQ5DBTo.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 15, 2025, 11:58:28 AM
Mrs. DeT's employer was bought out six months ago and yesterday was the first time the new company evaluated for raises.  She got a 9% raise :86:  That is quite a pleasant surprise.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 15, 2025, 12:50:02 PM
We started a new habit this week, we have my wife's juice thing for breakfast and then go to the pool.  In this heat, running is kind of out for me.  I do some work in the gym and then more in the pool, the water now is getting a bit on the warm side.

We have left over refrigerator soup for lunch.  It was good last night.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 15, 2025, 06:19:41 PM
and this made you happy?!?!?!?!?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 15, 2025, 06:20:38 PM
I'm happy I'm in a hotel across the street from Buffalo Wild Wings.......

BOGO traditional wings Tuesday and the MLB All-star game!!!!!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: ELA on July 15, 2025, 06:30:03 PM
Every summer the two movies we have to watch are Jaws and Sandlot.  I love both movies, but I have no interest in watching them in February.  Watching Jaws last night made everything ok
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on July 15, 2025, 08:10:34 PM
I'm happy I'm in a hotel across the street from Buffalo Wild Wings.......

BOGO traditional wings Tuesday and the MLB All-star game!!!!!
Ugh. More like Buffalo Diarrhea Wings. The one in our town ( neighboring) closed. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on July 15, 2025, 08:13:31 PM
Every summer the two movies we have to watch are Jaws and Sandlot.  I love both movies, but I have no interest in watching them in February.  Watching Jaws last night made everything ok
A lot of good things came from 1975. 

Jaws is one of the best movies ever made in my opinion. As a kid at any public pool you always had that music in your head and the funny feeling in your legs swimming in the deep end. Even though it defies all logic a giant shark swimming in a freshwater pool it still gave us anxiety. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 15, 2025, 09:24:09 PM
Ugh. More like Buffalo Diarrhea Wings. The one in our town ( neighboring) closed.
well, you live in Texas.  Y'all ruin everything.  No one would want to move there.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 16, 2025, 08:15:36 AM
Every summer the two movies we have to watch are Jaws and Sandlot.  I love both movies, but I have no interest in watching them in February.  Watching Jaws last night made everything ok

Ever since we bought our house with a pool, 13 years ago, my i s c & a aggie wife has wanted to set up our outdoor movie projector and watch Jaws whilst floating in the pool.  We finally did that a couple of weeks ago.  It was a lot of fun.

I hadn't seen the movie in many years.  It's dated, as you'd expect, but it's still pretty good.  Our kids had never seen it before and enjoyed it. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 16, 2025, 08:33:07 AM
I expect we'll head to our pool after breakfast.  We nearly always have it to outselves, maintenance free.

It's not a large pool, I can swim about 25 yards end to end, which I try and do several times for exercise.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 16, 2025, 12:19:00 PM
Went to the pool, it is good exercise, and heat tolerant of course.  We don't have bugs around it much, I saw a wasp today not bothering us.  This evening we're going to my wife's favorite restaurant to celebrate paying off our mortgage.  I like the place too, but it entails driving 4 miles or so and paying to park.  Well, the valet is "free" of course.

This place is "Olde Atlanta", hard to get a reservation, I'm probably the poorest person dining there.

I'm looking at the dinner menu, not sure what to order, scallops maybe.

Menus — La Grotta Ristorante Italiano (https://www.lagrottaatlanta.com/aboutus-1-1)

They have an extensive wine list for the discerning.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 16, 2025, 12:22:56 PM
Get this:

(https://i.imgur.com/4VPII9f.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 16, 2025, 12:25:48 PM
I'd be all over this:


(https://i.imgur.com/x4Q9uWv.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 16, 2025, 12:32:12 PM
And I'd probably pair it with one of these:

(https://i.imgur.com/01d2FTG.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 16, 2025, 12:32:26 PM
Now I'm hungry.

OW NV Taittinger Champagne, Prestige Rosé, Reims France was $209 now $159

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 16, 2025, 01:27:46 PM
Wife is taking me here for an early b-day celebration this weekend.

https://broadwaybyamarsantana.com/

We've only been there once, an anniversary dinner that I went into full radio silence as I'd DVR'd the Purdue/UVA E8 game to watch after we got home lol...
I'd be interested in the roasted beef bone marrow, the crispy pork belly, the branzino, and the beef cheek mole. But man I'd have to know the mole was good because tons of places don't do it very well.

 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 19, 2025, 05:28:15 PM
I could probably put this in the "Grumpy Old Man" thread because I hate painting...

But today I'm happy that painting the wall I didn't want to paint...

...is done. 

So now the red accent wall that my wife wanted is a gray accent wall that my wife wanted. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 19, 2025, 05:52:39 PM
I fixed a couple screens today so the flies can't get at the Chicken Florentine Cindy just made.Might open a Blue Moon with it
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 19, 2025, 06:13:32 PM
had lunch with the brother - buffalo wild wings, tots, queso, and a couple tall draws
stopped by to see the survey crew engineer that my brother and I worked for during summers while in college
Larry is in his mid-70s and not in great health - was good catching up after not seeing him for over ten years
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 23, 2025, 11:58:28 AM
This was a few days ago, but on a very modest car camping trip (with a surprisingly good car camping site), my eldest (who is 20), apropos of nothing, blurts out: "I f^#king love camping!"

Parenting/family win.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 23, 2025, 12:08:16 PM

So now the red accent wall that my wife wanted is a gray accent wall that my wife wanted.
MUCH better.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: ELA on July 23, 2025, 12:16:59 PM
I'd be all over this:


(https://i.imgur.com/x4Q9uWv.png)
I wouldn't make it past that.  The other lost me at capers.  Never developed a taste for those
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 23, 2025, 12:37:07 PM
I need to replace a sliding door handle.  I have the pieces, looked over the instructions, might do it tomorrow.

I went swimming, again, always a good feeling I think.  I have not had a drink since Friday when I pretty much overdid it.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: ELA on July 23, 2025, 01:42:12 PM
Ever since we bought our house with a pool, 13 years ago, my i s c & a aggie wife has wanted to set up our outdoor movie projector and watch Jaws whilst floating in the pool.  We finally did that a couple of weeks ago.  It was a lot of fun.

I hadn't seen the movie in many years.  It's dated, as you'd expect, but it's still pretty good.  Our kids had never seen it before and enjoyed it.
I actually think it's less dated than most movies from that era.  Hell, I think it's less dated that the early 00s CGI movies.  They knew their limitations, and how to scare you without showing you anything.  It's why Jurassic Park remains easily the best of those, aside from all of the other reasons.  We hit a period where we leaned way too hard into CGI, when it was extremely bad.  Showing these movies to kids, they laugh at the Star Wars prequels, or the LOTR movies.  They look goofy.  I think Jaws very much holds up
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 24, 2025, 09:07:33 AM
way back when jaws came out I was still reading books - I remember thinking it was a good read

perhaps reading in retirement would make me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 24, 2025, 09:20:11 AM
I watched a couple episodes of the "new" Old Star Trek and was musing about the special effects.  The original show was pretty bad of course, but at the time ...

Now it's pretty much 75% special effects, maybe 5% plot and dialog and acting, and 20% fluff.  Not a fan.  

I do enjoy reading.  I don't usually "nap" in the PM, but on occasion I find myself readi....zzzzzzzzzzz.  It's not a bad thing.  My wife is off to the hair dresser where she spends a fair bit of money on her hair, which is OK with me I guess.  I go to Great Clips and leave large tips.  I think they charge $18 for seniors now, and they do a fine job in my opinion, for some reason I'm not very vain about my appearance, which is a good thing as there is little about which to be vain.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 24, 2025, 09:20:53 AM
well, it wasn't today but, last Sunday made me happy

my brother and I took the red sporty car to our mom's side family reunion about 60 miles from home.
On a very familiar 2-lane blacktop just north of where we grew up I ran the vette up to 150mph.
Brother wasn't scared but he was a little nervous.

then later at the reunion, one of the cousins asked how fast I'd had it up too.  I just looked at my brother and said, "Why don't you tell him?"

Hah!

great day with family - we had been having these reunions every 5 years.  Wed decided to have the next one 3 years from now.  Folks getting older and might not make it 5 years.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 24, 2025, 09:48:01 AM
I idly wonder if some cop was sitting with radar and a car goes by at 150 if he attempts to chase him down, and whether the driver stays with it or see the lights and pulls over.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 24, 2025, 10:19:03 AM
sitting with radar there's gonna be a chase, unless it's too close to lunch time or end of shift

now popping over the top of the hill and meeting a cop going the other way........ might just keep going
(not that this has ever happened to me)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 24, 2025, 12:17:16 PM
I went to the pool, as is my wont, nobody else there, as usual.  We have maybe 250 residents, a few very young kids, none 6-17 to my knowledge, a fair number of older folks, but during the week hardly anyone uses the pool.  Our maintenance guy does a good job taking care of it, it's salt water, there is a shower on the deck, it's a nice thing for me to have, I get some low impact aerobic exercise without running and sweating like crazy, I am thirsty when I get back.

I do some work in the gym before the pool, I recently moved my weights up a notch, which is good I think.

So, I'm pretty content, but hungry.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 26, 2025, 12:04:03 PM
Our Saturday tradition ( outside the fall when I do other things):

I make eggs sunnyside over toast for my wife (and me).  Eggs are good for breakfast I was told.

We walk to the market a block away, it's only on Saturdays, in the park, a lot of good stuff this time of year.  I got some really good French bread and cheese.  Then we stopped at the local flower shop to chat with the nice lady there, I have her a soft baseball for her five year old but she told me she was keeping it for herself!  I have another around here.  My wife bought another vase.

The lady has two boys,  the old one plays baseball all the time, travel ball I guess.  They have a 12 year old golden and just got a puppy who they learned is blind but adorable.  And she's running a flower business.  She's super nice.

At one, we're having a couple over from down the hall, the lady is pregnant, her husband is from Georgia (the other one), both are professors of economics I think at GaState.  I'm fixing cucumber sandwiches, but myself.  My wife is upstairs arranging stuff that is fine the way it is, whatever.

Dinner plans at some allegedly French restaurant about 4 miles away.

My watch claims it's 87°F outside but it feels pretty bad right now in the sun.  Thank you Mr. Carrier.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on July 26, 2025, 12:12:03 PM
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) still holds up well, and remains hilarious.

I'll be happy today when I get the Swtichgrasses under control around my property.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 26, 2025, 01:15:10 PM
I'm happy to be home.  Hit the road early Tuesday morning.
Brother will be here until Monday morning
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 26, 2025, 02:42:58 PM
I just found out that SW Florida got its first Proton Therapy Center - opened this year. I thought we were going to have to go across the state, or up to Chicago. 

This makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 26, 2025, 03:52:05 PM
Hope you don’t need it.

We have one a few blocks south of us.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on July 26, 2025, 07:27:01 PM
Got a last minute invite to a concert with some big names. Figured “if I don’t see these folks now, they might not give me another chance.”
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on July 26, 2025, 07:44:09 PM
went through hundreds of pictures with my sister yesterday and today, cataloging and getting ready to scan some to the computer and get them all updated to link with my genealogy program (Family Tree Maker--which is super great, btw) reminiscing with sis and crying both with grief and sometimes laughter over some of the candid photos taken of family members over the years.  I have some huge photos of my great-great-grandparents on my mother's side that I am still trying to figure out how to get downsized to scan --the pictures are so old they are stuck to the glass and the frames weigh a ton, lol.  

I inherited the lot from my dad when he died in 2011, and I am still working my way through 2 file cabinets (down from three) full of documents that need to be cataloged and scanned.  Needless to say it is a good thing I am retired cause it takes a lot of time to get through some of this stuff.  I also a five shelf bookcase that is full of binders of family histories (four families), alphabetized obituaries (5 of those) two cemetery binders and three of alphabetized already scanned photos.  I think at last count I had a little over 2300 photos on my computer (and backed up to flash drives --can you imagine if my computer crashed?)  

all of this to say that I am so happy my sister lives with me and we keep our family history alive going through photos and documents and adding our memories.  Sis is 16 months older than I and both of us are in our early 70's so having her help to get all this accomplished is a boon.  Hopefully, someone in the next generation will carry on.  



Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 07:47:11 AM
That is pretty neat.  My uncle way back made up bound books, several, of our family lines.  They are hard to read, but the information is mostly there if you look.  There are some neat photos in it.  My Dad was given a family name of "Bluford" which he changed when he enlisted to "Buford" and made it his middle name because his initials had been "B.O." which back then stood for Body Odor.

His siblings all had unusual first names, Desma, Grapell, and Watson.  Watson lived to 104, he was determined to outlast his grandmother who was 102.

My kids seem very uninterested in geneology at this point.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 27, 2025, 08:16:52 AM
I wish I had more interested in genealogy at this point - and/or a better memory 

my brother has more interest than me - I'll leave the burden to him
my daughters don't seem to be interested much
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 27, 2025, 08:21:31 AM
I'm adopted. 

No clue except they were unmarried German immigrants turned citizens. The guy was a pharmacist, and the woman was a librarian. 

That's all I got.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 27, 2025, 08:28:54 AM
that's more than some
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 27, 2025, 09:21:24 AM
There are scholarships for some groups that you can earn through proving genealogy.  Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, etc.  My kids will qualify for those because my grandparents were way into it and traced our ancestry back to that time, and even before.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 01:33:32 PM
I'm supposedly an SAR but I never did any paperwork.  Maybe I could get a scholaraship to study European history.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on July 27, 2025, 01:42:02 PM
I have an account with Ancestry.com which gives me access to newspapers, military records, civil records, court records, etc.  In addition to that I also have free accounts with Family Search which syncs to Ancestry.  Through them, I get hints about relatives that I had no idea were related to me, such as the Stoughton family who were one of the first families to arrive in Connecticut in the 1630's and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Heyward, Jr.) is a 6th cousin four times removed, lol.  You just never know what you will find out.  I occasionally think about doing Ancestry DNA to see if I can find out more about relatives that left Germany in the late 1700's and those that left Scotland / England in the 1600's.  I have names, but it is hard to track some of them.  A lot of families repeat first and middle names a lot and some surnames got mangled when they came to the US - my family name of Argabright started out with multiple name changes from Erchenbrecht to Erkenbecht to Argabrite to the current spelling.  

I'm just glad that I am able to trace my family back to the 1600's both on my father's side and my mother's side.  My husband has not been able to do that with his family on his mother's side (her maiden name is Smith) His dad's side came as Germans from Russia just prior to the Bolshevik revolution so they were easier to trace.  

As a fan of history, it is a lot of fun learning about family and how they connect to major events in history.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: huskerdinie on July 27, 2025, 01:44:48 PM
I'm supposedly an SAR but I never did any paperwork.  Maybe I could get a scholaraship to study European history.
 I wish I had known about some of those scholarships when I was in high school as my mom was in the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as Daughters of the Civil War.  She had relatives on both sides of that.  I never got around to doing any paperwork either.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 01:47:17 PM
We had a nice young couple over yesterday for "tea".  Both are professors of economics, one at State one at Emory.  She is expecting a boy next month.  How does this relate to ancestry?

She is from MA, taught at U, of Utah before finding a job here, he is from Georgia, which you'd say is not a shock, except he's from the other Georgia.  We asked him a lot of questions about his home, my wife now wants to visit.  His parents were recently visiting here, speak no English, was their first airplane ride since before the Soviet Union went under.

So, her son will have interesting ancestry.  Super nice folks.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 27, 2025, 05:31:15 PM
I have  friend at work who received a master's degree from your university of Georgia and is also coincidentally from the other Georgia.  He's one of the coolest, nicest guys I've ever met.

He and some Georgian friends are opening an ethnic-food restaurant in Austin serving Georgian food, I'll probably go hit it up sometime this week.  Looks tasty.

https://breadboatattwitter.com/
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 27, 2025, 06:45:16 PM
It's not genealogy, but on my visit to my friend's cabin in NM, they kept an ongoing log that was very thorough.  It went back decades.  Whoever was staying in the cabin logged when they were there, what work was done to fix anything, what needed to be fixed, and any events that happened. 
It's very rustic, but kept up, obviously.  

Just pages and pages of the history.  Was pretty OCD, but cool at the same time.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 08:35:31 AM
The other Georgia is not called Georgia in Georgia.  The name is unpronounceable for me.  My wife and I pretty much want to visit if this couple can show us about a bit.  He said the flights go through CDG and direct to Tbilisi.

(https://i.imgur.com/OwcFRPv.png)

They had been angling for NATO membership but had some, um, disputes with their northern neighbor and some governments that were not approved by NATO.  This general area has had some unfortunate history. 

Politics in Georgia involve a parliamentary representative democratic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy) republic with a multi-party system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-party_system). The President of Georgia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Georgia) is the ceremonial head of state (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_state) and the Prime Minister of Georgia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Georgia) is the head of government (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_government). The Prime Minister and the Government (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Georgia) wield executive power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_power). Legislative power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_power) is vested in both the Government and the unicameral (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicameralism) Parliament of Georgia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Georgia).
The Georgian state is highly centralized, except for the autonomous (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_entity) regions of Abkhazia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abkhazia) and Adjara (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjara) and the former autonomous region of South Ossetia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Ossetia). Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which had autonomy within the Georgian SSR (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_SSR) during Soviet rule (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union), unilaterally seceded from Georgia in the 1990s. While, as of 2016, the Georgian government recognizes Abkhazia as autonomous within Georgia, it does not recognize South Ossetia as having any special status.[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-5)
Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union, Georgian politics has been characterized by a schism over its relationship with Russia on one hand and Europe on the other hand.[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:2-6)[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:3-7)[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:4-8) Since the early 2010s, Georgian politics has been characterized by a contentious rivalry between two main political parties, Georgian Dream (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Dream) and the United National Movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_National_Movement_(Georgia)) (UNM).[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:4-8) In the early 2020s, scholars raised concerns about democratic backsliding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_backsliding) in Georgia.[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:2-6)[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:3-7)[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Georgia_(country)#cite_note-:4-8)


Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 28, 2025, 08:43:16 AM
too close to russia and turkey for me
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 08:51:17 AM
Givi, my Georgian friend, assured me the country is "safe".  I didn't have any qualms about visiting Turkey, there are probably areas in both I should avoid.

But then I've been to place like Oman and Jordan and Egypt and Malaysia as well.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Riffraft on July 28, 2025, 01:54:46 PM
Givi, my Georgian friend, assured me the country is "safe".  I didn't have any qualms about visiting Turkey, there are probably areas in both I should avoid.

But then I've been to place like Oman and Jordan and Egypt and Malaysia as well.
Had no Issue with Turkey.  Taking a bus from Alexandria to Giza (Pyramids) we had an armed guard on the bus with us.  That was interesting, but no problems. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 28, 2025, 02:00:35 PM
Matt Rhule called it a “great first day” as the Huskers’ fall camp got underway Monday.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 02:00:50 PM
I was in Marseille a while back just walking around the public market in the old port and a squad of soldiers walked by me, all in tactical gear.  I was wondering why someone would see a need for them there, it wasn't a great feeling, I never witnessed anything askance.

I see soldiers in public in tactical gear a lot more often in Europe than here.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 02:04:13 PM
Well my soon to be 16yo son got a new car from his grandparents on Saturday.  He loves it and is happy, and that makes me happy!

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 02:06:37 PM
A new car?  What happened with the used Mustang?  Did they get him a Corvette?  A Porsche?  A Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing?

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 02:10:28 PM
A new car?  What happened with the used Mustang?  Did they get him a Corvette?  A Porsche?  A Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing?


It's a new Mustang.  2025.  His older sister who only got a used Mustang (2 years old at the time) had some words to say about that.  I told her to stuff it. :)

(She wasn't really serious, she loves her car)


Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 28, 2025, 02:55:31 PM
a 2025 Mustang,you have to be shyting me,talk about matress money
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 03:00:34 PM
a 2025 Mustang,you have to be shyting me,talk about matress money
My inlaws are very generous.

Of course I'm the one stuck paying the insurance.  But this is the "happy" thread so we're not going to talk about that...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on July 28, 2025, 03:07:46 PM
Ya ,hope they don't nickel/dime you to death with things like whole light assembly replacements instead of just switching bulbs out. A lot of corporate cocks are doing scams just like that
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on July 28, 2025, 03:08:21 PM
It's a new Mustang.  2025.  His older sister who only got a used Mustang (2 years old at the time) had some words to say about that.  I told her to stuff it. :)

(She wasn't really serious, she loves her car)
V-6?  Or whatever they put under the hoods these days.  Surely it's not a 5.0L.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 03:21:33 PM
V-6?  Or whatever they put under the hoods these days.  Surely it's not a 5.0L. 
Inline 4 turbo.  It's not exactly slow, but it's not the 5L V8 either.

Ya ,hope they don't nickel/dime you to death with things like whole light assembly replacements instead of just switching bulbs out. A lot of corporate cocks are doing scams just like that
Well the good news about a brand new car, is that it has a warranty.  Of course, somehow, some way, stuff always seems to break the day after the warranty expires...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 29, 2025, 11:13:00 AM
Memories.

(https://i.imgur.com/o2rmdK4.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 29, 2025, 12:52:55 PM
We went to Costco, which generally is a decent experience, and was.  My wife wanted to stop at Soma, so I let her out and stayed in the car with the engine running.

The engine would run maybe 30 seconds and cut off, then 30 seconds on battery, then 30 on engine.  I had just filled up, and my mpg meter said 3.6 mpg, which is the lowest I've seen.  I was watching the battery recharge bar shrink and then climb.  Made me kind of curiously happy in a way, and I was cool.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 29, 2025, 01:09:30 PM
I can't fathom that going to Costco is a decent experience
I don't even think purchasing on-line is decent
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 29, 2025, 01:23:27 PM
I can't fathom that going to Costco is a decent experience
I don't even think purchasing on-line is decent
Costco is one of my happy places. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 29, 2025, 01:27:42 PM
I like Costco and I wish they would build one closer. 

They are building a new one in fort Myers, but it's still 24 miles. 

The one in North Port is 33 miles.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 29, 2025, 01:30:03 PM
I like Costco and I wish they would build one closer.

They are building a new one in fort Myers, but it's still 24 miles.

The one in North Port is 33 miles.
Within a 24 mile radius of my front door, I think I count 7 Costco stores. Expand out to 33 miles and it might be 10+. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 29, 2025, 01:30:14 PM
Inline 4 turbo.  It's not exactly slow, but it's not the 5L V8 either.
Surprisingly powerful for a 4 cylinder. That was my impression when driving some recently.

My happy place this weekend: 25th anniversary, and a lovely weekend in the redwoods north of San Francisco. Played an Alister MacKenzie golf course in the trees yesterday. It's a nine hole, public course. Perfect for what we had time for.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 29, 2025, 01:31:46 PM
closest to me is 97 miles - I was there a couple years ago after a golf event near there.
I'm happy to be playing a golf course in that area late this afternoon.
I just invited the guy that took me there on his membership 2 years ago.
It's short notice, but.......

I don't remember being happy about shoppin there last time.  It didn't suck, but it was still mingling with the masses and pushing a cart.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 29, 2025, 01:43:54 PM
Within a 24 mile radius of my front door, I think I count 7 Costco stores. Expand out to 33 miles and it might be 10+.
Density will do that. We'll soon have enough rooftops here to support a Costco. We do have Sam's close, but Costco>>>Sam's.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 29, 2025, 01:50:41 PM
I agree Costco>>>Sam's...

...which is good, because the closest Sam's is >20 miles away.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 29, 2025, 01:51:44 PM
we have a Sam's within 15 miles

it's like Walmart, I refuse to go in there
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 29, 2025, 01:52:05 PM
20 miles there is not the same as 20 miles here, that's for sure!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 29, 2025, 01:54:19 PM
We get to Costco before 11 and it's fine.  We didn't wait at all to get gas or check out.  They recently enlarged their gas station at this Costco which helped enormously.

$2.67.9 for regular.

I think I got less than 5 gallons.

I got some nice looking tuna steaks for tonight and some pretty good wine, but their Kirkland Chateauneuf du Pape was gone.

My watch says 93°F and we're headed to the pool once lunch is digested a bit.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 29, 2025, 01:55:13 PM
I went to Sam's in Cincy for several years and it was fine for me, and then Costco opened up down the street.  Holy Molly.  Different experience.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 29, 2025, 01:55:22 PM
15 miles here is 16 minutes - 1 traffic signal light
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 29, 2025, 01:56:25 PM
My watch says 93°F and we're headed to the pool once lunch is digested a bit.
that's a late lunch
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 29, 2025, 04:00:58 PM
The pool water is like bath water temperatures.  They have a shower by the pool that sits in the sun and the first few seconds are scalding.  I learned that the hard way.  The pool deck is on fire.  But it may cool off later this week.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 29, 2025, 04:02:08 PM
I painted our pool deck white. It was a darker gray when we moved in, which is just dumb.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 29, 2025, 04:03:41 PM
This stuff really works.  Part of the deck around my pool is stone, but a large portion of it is concrete stamped to look like stone, and a few years back I painted some of this on.  It made a big difference.

(https://i.imgur.com/IIoejV6.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 29, 2025, 04:19:05 PM
This is our pool, photo taken from elevator room:

(https://i.imgur.com/TWm9G8Y.png)

It's on the south side of the building, so the building reflects light onto it, and heat.  The deck surface was redone two years ago but already is cracking.  

My wife said someone at the monthly meeting asked for more umbrellas, at a cost of $800 per.  As you can see, there are quite a few more umbrellas than people in the pool.  Granted on weekends we may see ten people lounging about.  Our building is getting old and some basic items need repairs, like escape stairways which are outside.

Anyway, it's enough pool for me, I swim back and forth, it's about 25 yards or so.  And I have it to myself on weekdays.  I may give a copt of that pool deck cool stuff to the building maintenance dude.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 29, 2025, 09:44:06 PM
$800 PER umbrella?!?  

What is it, the White House?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: jgvol on July 29, 2025, 10:54:03 PM
The pool water is like bath water temperatures.  They have a shower by the pool that sits in the sun and the first few seconds are scalding.  I learned that the hard way.  The pool deck is on fire.  But it may cool off later this week.

Checked my water this evening.  

94 degrees.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 30, 2025, 08:19:47 AM
Dude they should just go to Academy, you can almost always find the 9' tilt umbrellas on sale for around $30. (https://i.imgur.com/3BZfxfY.png)


https://www.academy.com/p/mosaic-round-9-ft-patio-market-striped-umbrella?sku=light-blue
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2025, 09:14:01 AM
I think our umbrellas have to have that heavy base that rolls, it has wheels on it, maybe that is why they are expensive.  We wouldn't want one flying off into the blue.

Folks are suppoed to drop them back after use but of course I see them left open once a week or so.  And maybe the boatd misoverestimated the cost to shut the person down.

Anyway, we don't need more umbrellas whatever the cost.

My wife goes to the monthly meetings and reports back to my lazy butt, I think she enjoys the exposure to humanity.  I don't.  Our current board seems to be pretty reasonable about spending money and we're well in the black so far this year, maybe my HOA won't go up so much next year.  

I checked out the HOA of a condo, 2 bedroom, in the Four Seasons and it was over $1800 per month, which is rent around here for an efficiency/studio in a nice building.

I understand why young folks struggle to buy anything.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 31, 2025, 10:34:19 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/pKgTKn9.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 31, 2025, 12:08:48 PM
Driving that 1950 GMC I posted on the other thread made me happy yesterday. It also made me come to grips with the knowledge that I won't want to keep it when my dad no longer can. That's in interesting revelation.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 31, 2025, 12:11:08 PM
Also, this is a pretty good representation that a case that had taken over my life and was headed for a very messy trial in a couple of months recently settled...hooray!
(https://i.imgur.com/oxZKYzR.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on July 31, 2025, 12:14:01 PM
Oh great, so, like, you're way back, huh?

Hooray....






(just kidding, glad you're getting some of your life back!)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 31, 2025, 12:20:55 PM
You know me, can't wait to burn this place down with flame wars.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 31, 2025, 01:58:19 PM
You know me, can't wait to burn this place down with flame wars.
I'm gonna make you a mod.

F it.

Mod for everyone!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on July 31, 2025, 03:10:22 PM
you can force the privileges on me but, ya can't make me use them
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 31, 2025, 05:41:39 PM
What's that you say...

Ed Zachery.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on July 31, 2025, 05:48:43 PM
I made a reservation for brunch Sunday, it's a 20 year anniversary, my wife suggested this knowing I like the place a lot, and I thought it a good idea.

I told her if you'd told me then I'd be alive today I would not have believed you, seriously.  It took a few hard years on me and my kids slowly trying to climb back.  Chatting here had it's part.  My wife of course played a huge role.  My kids are both doing well, talking about coming to visit in September.

So, while Aug 3 won't make me "happy" exactly, I'm trying to recall all the wonderful things a ton of people did for us back then, some really good stories.  Most people are good people.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on August 01, 2025, 07:56:02 AM
Congrats on the 20 year. Mines on Monday ( Aggie Day). Marks 24 years married. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 01, 2025, 07:59:23 AM
Sorry, my post wasn't clear, it's not about a 20 year wedding anniversary.  Our 13th is on August 10 though, so soon.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 01, 2025, 08:05:22 AM
We went to see the doctor yesterday.

We have a plan. That makes me happy. 

Her too.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on August 01, 2025, 08:08:14 AM
Today is my last day of work before an extended vacation. Not mad about it.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 01, 2025, 08:42:19 AM
My daughter is home from Minneapolis for the weekend and I have a 2:30pm tee time

also, the weather......................

(https://i.imgur.com/waftQKD.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 01, 2025, 08:52:52 AM
Be sure to have the parka nearby for your overnight low tonight!
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 01, 2025, 08:55:30 AM
it got down to 61 early this morning - all the windows are open - it made me happy to pull the sheet over myself and sleep well!

71 in the house currently
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on August 03, 2025, 01:02:06 PM
Just started a week and a half vacation home with a crisp 6.5 am run. I’m a little irked because temps finally dropped where I live and I’m missing that, but the timing of the trip couldn’t be helped. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on August 03, 2025, 02:18:26 PM
Getting out of the hospital for an infected foot/leg for the 2nd time in 8 weeks :bluegrab: 😖
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 03, 2025, 08:02:19 PM
a crappy round of golf after the morning rain, and then a nice dinner with my daughter in my kitchen........

a salad, burgers on the grill, and fresh corn on the cob
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 07:23:41 AM
64°F here at the moment, but rain off and on.  I got through yesterday OK, a lot of FB traffic and whatnot.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 11:23:22 AM
I was idly curious how paying off my mortgage would affect my credit score (not that it could matter).  The answer, it helped it.  It's now 850.  I guess I''m happy.  

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 04, 2025, 01:38:59 PM
Don't know if this belongs on the booze and cocaine thread, but...had my first glass of bourbon in more than three months on Saturday night. Just one. It was glorious.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 01:49:31 PM
I have sworn off hard liquor.  If I buy any, I'll drink it.  I will have some wine and figure to cap the evening with some Woodford etc.  Really not a great idea.

I'm working on no wine on weekdays, with some success.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:52:14 PM
I have sworn off shots
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 04, 2025, 01:52:50 PM
I have sworn off shots
I swore off shots in college.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:55:10 PM
so did I, about every other week
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 02:01:40 PM
When my wife took me for my birthday dinner, I started off with a bourbon. It had been a while. 

I've actually got a lot of partially-drunk bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and scotch up in my cabinet. Feel like I need to work through a couple of the ones that are nearly empty just to make room. But than I just reach for a pint glass and fill it with beer instead.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on August 04, 2025, 05:22:05 PM
I got FCS season tickets for only $35. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on August 04, 2025, 06:57:47 PM
I have sworn off shots
with the woods or irons?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on August 04, 2025, 07:01:46 PM
Feel like I need to work through a couple of the ones that are nearly empty just to make room. But than I just reach for a pint glass and fill it with beer instead.
You have a right to be happy and beer it has been said by the Prophet can make you a jolly good fellow
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: bayareabadger on August 05, 2025, 04:54:02 PM
A coworker Who I never would’ve expected to message me on vacation sent me a note saying that The company had opened the window where we can sell stock (usually, they give us a little warning, but this time it was about 11 hours).

I didn’t exactly hit the peak price point of the morning, But was able to cash out something I had socked away using our ESPP, which had a very robust rate of return. It’ll turn around and go into a good ETF, but it felt nice to get that moving. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 07, 2025, 03:15:30 PM
mid-year-2025-public-safety-report-v21.pdf (https://ctycms.com/ga-midtown/docs/mid-year-2025-public-safety-report-v21.pdf?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=6b0bfbf2d9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_02_25_12_56_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6f48892f0e-249821705)

For Midtown Atlanta.  


(https://i.imgur.com/OZi70Au.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 07, 2025, 04:11:38 PM
So we've established that CD likes violent crime. Cool.

:)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 07, 2025, 04:13:26 PM
So we've established that CD likes violent crime. Cool.
Is there another kind?

A Few Good Men: Grave danger? Is there another kind? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmbPFtPBO_4)

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 08, 2025, 03:15:16 PM
So I got back from San Jose yesterday (actually just flew up Weds afternoon). 

I was up there for a relatively high-profile conference in my industry where I--for the first time ever--actually presented in a public forum as part of a panel. Which was cool and made me happy. Prior to walking in, I took my imposter syndrome out behind the convention center, beat the tar out of it, so I'd be ready to stand in front of a room and kill it. Which also made me happy lol. (When my presentation is publicly posted I can link it in the tech nerd thread if anyone cares...)

My wife flew up to attend since so much of what I do is non-public, so she got to see me present. Which also made me happy, as well as having her with me on a trip so it wasn't just me sitting alone in a hotel room all night. 

And I was in a new blazer and shirt that made me look quite dapper... So, happy... :72:

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 08, 2025, 03:18:06 PM
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult. 

We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request). 

He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 08, 2025, 03:57:46 PM
Oh, one more thing about the conference... I got to finally meet (in person) utee's SurlyHorns buddy that I work[ed] with. 

When our company split he and I predictably ended up on opposite sides, so we're no longer coworkers. So he was at his company's booth, not ours lol. But it was fun to say hello in person to someone that I'd talked to through a screen extensively, who not only is in the same industry but who shares the same deranged college football fandom as us weirdos here...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 08, 2025, 04:09:45 PM
Oh, one more thing about the conference... I got to finally meet (in person) utee's SurlyHorns buddy that I work[ed] with.

When our company split he and I predictably ended up on opposite sides, so we're no longer coworkers. So he was at his company's booth, not ours lol. But it was fun to say hello in person to someone that I'd talked to through a screen extensively, who not only is in the same industry but who shares the same deranged college football fandom as us weirdos here...

Yeah he's a hoot.  Burnt Eyes and he were pretty good friends before Burny decided to go full prepper and move to a zombie apocalypse compound in an undisclosed location somewhere in the middle of Tennessee.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on August 08, 2025, 05:39:06 PM
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.

We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).

He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...

So you have the ability to engineer your own golf clubs, but you don't? 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 08, 2025, 05:51:25 PM
So you have the ability to engineer your own golf clubs, but you don't?
No, not even close. I'm an electrical engineer, not a mechanical engineer. And my decades of experience are in data storage, not in golf. 

I would be useless in golf club design / manufacturing, because neither my education nor my work experience has prepared me to be useful. 

I have the ability to brew my own beer. And it's good. But that doesn't mean that I have the right experience to operate a commercial brewery trying to brew 15000 bbl/year of craft beer. And I know WAY more about that than I do golf club design / manufacturing. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 08, 2025, 06:06:06 PM
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.

We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).

He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...

lucky kid
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 11, 2025, 06:57:17 AM
Yesterday was our 12th anniversary.  We walked down to the local flower shop and bought some flowers (duh) in a vase I brought had previously bought at that shop.  The owner's son was there, 9 years old, with baseball glove and tennis ball, looking bored.  So, we take the flower home and I take a couple photos and we think to walk back to show them to the nice flower lady, and I decided to take my glove and a baseball.  

The flower lady is happy to have the photos, and I ask if "JD" would like to walk across the street into the park and throw some with a real baseball, the kid lights up, so off we go, my wife took some photos.  The youngster throws and catches well, we tossed for maybe 30 minutes, my wife sends photos back to the mom who of course is delighted with that.

It felt good to throw with a youngster again, been a while.  I even threw him a curve after telling him it was coming, he seemed impressed.  My curve breaks nicely but I still don't have good command of it.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on August 11, 2025, 02:49:58 PM
Me and my son and his friend went to New Braunfels on Saturday and floated the Guadalupe River.  This is the first time we've been in several years.  The water has been too low for the last several years to float, especially with a raft like we like to do.  It wasn't the best float, and the water is still kinda low but it was relaxing and nostalgic.  Came home in the same day, made for a long day.  But it felt good.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Gigem on August 11, 2025, 02:52:16 PM
Oh, one more thing about the conference... I got to finally meet (in person) utee's SurlyHorns buddy that I work[ed] with.

When our company split he and I predictably ended up on opposite sides, so we're no longer coworkers. So he was at his company's booth, not ours lol. But it was fun to say hello in person to someone that I'd talked to through a screen extensively, who not only is in the same industry but who shares the same deranged college football fandom as us weirdos here...
Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns?  You brave.  
Whatever happened to Shaggy Bevo?  I would get on those sites a time or two every year, after the losses were especially fun.  
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 11, 2025, 02:56:27 PM
Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns?  You brave. 
No, I don't post there. 

Just mentioned the connection because we were chatting over a work virtual call a while back, got on the subject if football, and I realized my coworker and utee knew each other via SurlyHorns. And despite being coworkers, I'd never actually met this guy in person. (Of course we're not even coworkers now due to the company split.) 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on August 12, 2025, 08:06:58 AM
Jeez...you post on SurlyHorns?  You brave. 
Whatever happened to Shaggy Bevo?  I would get on those sites a time or two every year, after the losses were especially fun. 
Utee can correct me if I'm wrong, because it was a long time ago.

But I believe the site owner lost control of the site in a lawsuit vs a former business partner. So they started up surlyhorns and everyone moved over there.

I didn't transition to surlyhorns. I do miss Thujone's MS paint threads, though.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on August 12, 2025, 08:09:47 AM
And now, today my oldest is officially a legal adult.

We're taking him and his siblings out for sushi for dinner (his request).

He went to a Roger Dunn Golf to use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to get "fit" for the right golf club shaft. His second best fit was the KBS Tour Lite in stiff, which just so happened to be a stock shaft for a good (and reasonably priced DTC company). So I ordered him some Takomo 101T irons in his specs to replace the 25 year old hand-me-down-from-Dad irons that he's been playing for the last few years. Although it will be a number of weeks before those are built and shipped...

Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 12, 2025, 08:26:00 AM
Thujone is the toxic principal in absinthe or wormwood.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 12, 2025, 08:43:04 AM
Utee can correct me if I'm wrong, because it was a long time ago.

But I believe the site owner lost control of the site in a lawsuit vs a former business partner. So they started up surlyhorns and everyone moved over there.

I didn't transition to surlyhorns. I do miss Thujone's MS paint threads, though.
Yeah something like that.  I don't know the exact details but it sounds about right.  

As for Thujone, he rarely posts or creates any new content anyway, so you're not missing out.  It's a pity, he's pretty hilarious.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 09:46:22 AM
Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.
Will do. It'll be several weeks at least. They're fairly backlogged. Online reviews are positive. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on August 12, 2025, 10:03:57 AM
Yeah something like that.  I don't know the exact details but it sounds about right. 

As for Thujone, he rarely posts or creates any new content anyway, so you're not missing out.  It's a pity, he's pretty hilarious.
Ya I've seen you over on Surlyhorns,Bastage baiting the Buckeyes.
------------------------------
utee94 Posted July 23

...and Ohio State.  The defending national champions.

Why would they omit one of Texas' four OOC opponents, I wonder???
------------------------------
Now you know damn well Junior those schedules are made way ahead of time we had no idea who your sickly billygoats on stilts was facing. But since your infernal bovines laid a good one on those Ann Arbor Astros
(https://media.tenor.com/images/e4ae71099eeeccdaaf1495af637ac4c7/tenor.gif)         
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 12, 2025, 10:13:00 AM
Ya I've seen you over on Surlyhorns,Bastage baiting the Buckeyes.
------------------------------
utee94 Posted July 23

...and Ohio State.  The defending national champions.

Why would they omit one of Texas' four OOC opponents, I wonder???
------------------------------
Now you know damn well Junior those schedules are made way ahead of time we had no idea who your sickly billygoats on stilts was facing. But since your infernal bovines laid a good one on those Ann Arbor Astros
(https://media.tenor.com/images/e4ae71099eeeccdaaf1495af637ac4c7/tenor.gif)         


I don't mind baiting Buckeyes 'tall, but you misread my comments there.

That was in regard to someone bashing Texas' "weak" OOC schedule, but not even mentioning that the Horns are playing the defending champs, on the road, to open the season.  They were clearly pushing an agenda, and I was laughing at them for it.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 10:41:19 AM
Please report back on the Takomo's. They look interesting and I'm playing 20 year old Cleveland's.
I have a few CG14 wedges in my bag but they aren't 20 years old
CG12s?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 12, 2025, 12:34:29 PM
I rarely spend much time on Facebook, but this morning I got a "memory" of the start of the first season of youth soccer that I coached. That cued me to look at the picture of my youngest walking off the pitch after his last youth soccer game just two months ago, and it makes me happy. We had a really good run with youth sports. It enriched both of my kids' lives...and mine. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on August 12, 2025, 02:23:44 PM
I have a few CG14 wedges in my bag but they aren't 20 years old
CG12s?
TA 7's 3-P, although I traded out the 3 for a hybrid this year.

I had a cg10 56* but gave it to my wife when I bought the Kirkland 3-wedge set 4(?) years ago. They're worn out and need to replaced.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 03:42:00 PM
I'm not the guy that upgrades clubs regularly, but 20 year old equipment seems a bit too long for me.

That said, if you hit something very well, there's no sense in changing.

I really liked the CG16 irons I bought used for $300, but the shafts started breaking.  So, I replaced them with my current set of Mizuno JPX-EZ from around 2015.  So, they're 10 years old.  I bought them used from a friend for $400.

How often do you play?
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 03:42:31 PM
Utee will be happy that there's golf talk on the thread.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: utee94 on August 12, 2025, 04:04:27 PM
Utee will be happy that there's golf talk on the thread.
If golfing and golf talk makes y'all happy, who am I to question that, here on the Happy thread?

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on August 12, 2025, 06:46:21 PM
I'm not the guy that upgrades clubs regularly, but 20 year old equipment seems a bit too long for me.

That said, if you hit something very well, there's no sense in changing.

I really liked the CG16 irons I bought used for $300, but the shafts started breaking.  So, I replaced them with my current set of Mizuno JPX-EZ from around 2015.  So, they're 10 years old.  I bought them used from a friend for $400.

How often do you play?
I play a lot. I'm typically out there in some capacity 5-6 days a week. Don't always play a round, sometimes just hitting driver or approach shots, chipping and putting. Our course is a typical small town 9-hole semi-private, so it's fairly empty mid-morning during the week and I can bounce around the course to avoid the mowers.

I'm slowly upgrading my bag. Replaced my Nike Covert 2.0 driver with a Callaway Elyte last month. Then bought a ZT Spider the week after on a bit of an impulse buy. I do hit those old irons very well; they'll be the last thing I upgrade. New wedges are probably next and I need to get a 3 wood at some point for playing longer courses (ours only equates to ~5700 yards).
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 06:51:08 PM
good for you!

Nike has been out of the equipment business for a while.  I'd guess the Callaway was a nice upgrade.

I've been a Callaway driver - 3wood guy for a long time.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 06:55:23 PM
I will say if you're looking for more budget-friendly equipment, I've had very good experiences with Sub70. Right now I'm playing their 3 utility iron, 52/56/60 degree wedges, and one of their putters. I also own a 5 wood but I don't hit fairway woods well, so it's not in the bag. Everything except the wedges were purchased from their pre-owned stock, and all looked brand new when it showed up. The wedges were a custom build. 

They're known for excellent customer service. The wedges were a custom build where I called them and told them I wanted them built to 36.75", but due to the swing weight from being so long I asked them the cherry-pick the lightest heads they had. Which they did. They're a DTC brand that recognizes that they can't rely on JUST being cheap... They're also willing to go the extra mile. 

Can't recommend them enough. 
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 06:58:32 PM
Oh, and the other thing about Sub70 is that they're located in Sycamore, IL (about 1.5-2 hrs west of Chicago). They have a full fitting studio there in Sycamore which I hear is really cool. 

That doesn't help me, but while Sycamore probably isn't "around the corner" from Iowa... It's drivable. 

https://www.the-seventy.com/
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 07:01:10 PM
I got to reveal to my daughter that Taylor Swift announced her upcoming album this morning...

I don't particularly care about Taylor, so the news didn't make me happy. It sure made HER happy though. 

Her reaction to the news? That was what made me happy. 

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: iahawk15 on August 12, 2025, 07:03:19 PM
Oh, and the other thing about Sub70 is that they're located in Sycamore, IL (about 1.5-2 hrs west of Chicago). They have a full fitting studio there in Sycamore which I hear is really cool.

That doesn't help me, but while Sycamore probably isn't "around the corner" from Iowa... It's drivable.

https://www.the-seventy.com/

Heard of them through reddit, but didn't realize they were in Illinois. I'll definitely look into that.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 07:25:00 PM
Heard of them through reddit, but didn't realize they were in Illinois. I'll definitely look into that.
Yeah... One of my buddies that I knew in my college years used to "race" in the spectator class at Sycamore Speedway. We typically went out to watch and be "pit crew" to the extent that was a thing. He had picked up an old Lincoln Mark V (bear in mind this was the late 90s) to race. I remember sitting in the [open] trunk of the thing kicking out dents from the inside after one of the races... That was a freakin' land yacht!

That memory brought back some happiness lol...
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 07:28:33 PM
Oh, and the other thing about Sub70 is that they're located in Sycamore, IL (about 1.5-2 hrs west of Chicago). They have a full fitting studio there in Sycamore which I hear is really cool.

That doesn't help me, but while Sycamore probably isn't "around the corner" from Iowa... It's drivable.

https://www.the-seventy.com/

6 1/2 hours for me but only 3 hours from Cedar Rapids
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 07:32:14 PM
6 1/2 hours for me but only 3 hours from Cedar Rapids
Not in your Vette.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 07:34:54 PM
true - that would make me happy

the speed cameras in Cedar Rapids don't make me happy
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on August 13, 2025, 08:06:46 PM
Brewers won (again) today, meaning free George Webb burgers in Milwaukee at some point soon.   I won't drive up for the occasion, but the run the Crew is on makes me happy.  The long time diner always predicts the Brewers will win 12 in a row, and hand out free burgers when they do.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 13, 2025, 08:19:12 PM
and the best record in the majors - on a budget payroll
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MrNubbz on August 13, 2025, 08:46:04 PM
Go Brewers,something about that name can't quite put my finger on it
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 13, 2025, 08:59:18 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/ZztMVwa.png)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on August 13, 2025, 09:10:37 PM
I remember attending a fan fest or whatever it was when Miller Park was about to open (early 00s).  When the Bernie Slide was inroduced for the first time, and many of us were aghast by it.      Someone in the crowd during Q&A politely asked Wendy Selig-Prieb (Bud's daughter) 'Uh, What happened to the Beer Mug Bernie slides into?'    
She's like:   'we want this to be a family atmosphere, we love Bernie Brewer and wanted his home.... blah blah blah blah.......' 

This classic Mustachioed Milwaukeean in the audience belts out 'We're the Freaking Brewers!!!!!'  It's in the Name!!!!'    
Fantastic applause.   Team was run like a family restaurant for so long....those were dark days but that made me happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: MarqHusker on August 13, 2025, 09:15:44 PM
(https://www.jsonline.com/gcdn/presto/2019/03/21/PMJS/b51ade81-4c75-40d6-90e3-6da54d5fd6bb-barrel_4-13-73.jpg?crop=3188,4378,x36,y63&width=481&height=660&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 14, 2025, 06:14:21 AM
The site donation link is active now.  I just donated a year's worth.

Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 14, 2025, 08:39:34 AM
The site donation link is active now.  I just donated a year's worth.


I did 10 months. I'm happy.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: FearlessF on August 14, 2025, 09:36:03 AM
I'd rather support Drew and this site more than any other - I kinda like it here - this site makes me happy

but, it's just the idea of paying for something online that bothers me - probably for the grumpy old man thread
I don't pay for my local newspaper or the Omaha Weird Herald or the Lincoln Star - nothing!  not even Husker content
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 14, 2025, 12:17:19 PM
1 yr subscription, just in time for CFB season.
Title: Re: OT - What made you happy today?
Post by: Cincydawg on August 16, 2025, 09:46:04 AM
The annual arts festival is across the street in the park today.  This is pretty interesting for us, a lot of different stuff, some junky, some quite innovative, some pricey.  We bought some jewelry from a fellow and got to know him a bit over time, so my wife invited him over this evening for dinner after he closes up shop.  He's a nice fellow, and I spent some money on his stuff several times, it's not bad pricewise.

So, we'll go over and peruse, there probably are over 250 "booths", we might miss a few.  Supposed to rain this afternoon.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival (https://piedmontparkartsfestival.com/)

We enjoy there, they have 4-5 similar each year.