What did you do that made you happy today?

[brook]

This morning a client asked me if I wanted a flag to hang on my car.

I said: "I don't wear my heart on my sleeve; I don't hang flags on my car - and I don't need one of your yellow stickers for my ass. Any more questions?"

The ensuing silence was blissful.

So, tell me. Did you have any fun today?

[Breeze54]

1. I sure did!

I told my landlord how and where to stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
(not actually using those words. :P )

I actually told him that "this conversation is over." *click*
The *click* made me happy. ;)

What a shyster! I now am looking for a way to break my lease.

I hate sneaky people!! That bastid!
(I'd use more colorful words but then I'll get all riled up again.)

I don't want to do that tonight.... *breathing*

[brook]

8. "this conversation is over"

Love it! It's very freeing when you opt out of their game, isn't it? Good for you!

[raccoon]

129. What did the landlord do? nt

[Breeze54]

131. I'm still trying to

figure out how much of it is my own fault.

But...

I renewed my lease in December. He said it was the same lease.
It looked the same as the last one and the four before that!
We renew every year but what I didn't know (realize) was he
slipped an addendum in that makes me totally responsible for
ANY repairs for broken plumbing and any broken windows!
I discovered this yesterday when I called looking for help
for a stopped up toilet. He got very snarky and nasty!
He even gave me shit for "being online"!!!!

(just so you know, he waited until all the residents signed
new leases and then right after announced he was selling!)

He's slow on repairs all the time and argues it's the tenants
fault but we got it on video when all the windows were leaking.
The guy is a total asshole and I avoid him as much as possible.
Very schizo/bi-polar or something. High strung.
I've had many run-ins with him about the window fiasco and
it took me THREE YRS to get him to admit there's a problem!
My neighbors got it on video! ;)

But now he's refusing to help with the plumbing problem!
I don't know if that's even legal! Mind you I've never had
any plumbing issue's the whole time I've been here.
I've only stayed because heat & hot water are included and
the rent is below local market price and my son is in school.
This is my son's last year in high school and then we are out of here!!
I'm hoping to break the lease and leave at the end of the summer.

[raccoon]

136. I feel your pain. BTDT.

"totally responsible for
ANY repairs for broken plumbing and any broken windows!"

WFT?!?

Good luck in your next housing.

[SPKrazy]

2. ROFL!

that is funny

Hope you have a lot of other clients :shrug:

:hi:

[brook]

14. I have no end of clients.

This exchange was just another in a series over 6 or 7 years with this person who refuses to observe boundaries. It's like putting a 3 year old in time out. I ignore her most times...but then the 'push' needs to be pushed back.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. Drank with a friend.

:toast:

[brook]

16. Now that's GOOD happiness!

I like to do that, too.

[Nicole]

4. I had dessert for dinner.

I skipped the good for me stuff & went straight to the chocolate sundae. :9

[brook]

17. Great!

You definitely have your priorities in order and a working 'happiness meter'!. Sometimes I have dessert for breakfast...but don't tell anyone.

[Nicole]

79. Sometimes you just have to do it.

:)

[brook]

87. Isn't that why

God made chocolate?

[UrbScotty]

5. Met a retired general (nt)

[brook]

18. Cool.

Did you get some time to talk with the General? Meeting new people and listening to who they are, where they've been is as good as opening a new book.

[Shakespeare]

6. Not at anyone else's expense, no.

But that's a lovely way to treat a client. :eyes:

I went for a walk in the canyon after work, which always makes me happy and re-centers me after a stressful day.

[brook]

23. My clients

are mostly very nice people...some of whom I really love - others who I admire. There are just a few who 'get the treatment' when they come begging for it...like the aforementioned one who tried for a couple of years to get me fired for being a durty liberal. From time to time I also throw in a "This program is brought to you by us socialists".

[Breeze54]

7. Just realized you said "client"...er...

how does losing $$ make you happy? :shrug:

[brook]

24. I don't lose money.

This is a republican at the welfare teat.

[Breeze54]

Well, in that case...

Way to go!! :rofl:

[brook]

53. Thanks...

I just hate that 'means test'. I figure people ought to know who I am by the way I live my life. I refuse to be a 'billboard for *'.

[idgiehkt]

9. mowed the grass in the puppy yard

and refilled the wading pool. My female dog loves nothing better than a whole pool of fresh clean water to splash around in. :)

[bridgit]

41. i cleaned Tim's catbox, but then paid some bills and that made *me* happy...

;)

[brook]

55. Oh, lordy...

I paid some bills today, too. Every one of them was late...but I sure felt happy.

I read yesterday that the cost of living had gone up 6% in the past 3 months...and my checkbook seems to confirm that. I worry about all of us, I do.

[bridgit]

61. yep, this world seems it's going to hell in a hand-basket with one hand basket too short...

:rofl: i just keep rolling along it's all i know how to do :hi:

[SPKrazy]

10. I drove with the windows down

and the wind blowing on my face!

felt good with the sun shining

:hi:

[brook]

25. Yes!

I drive along the bay on my way home - the breeze, the smell of the salt flats, the sight of some lucky kayakers...takes all the twists out!

[fizzgig]

11. i called in sick today

i had a legit reason, so i spent the day watching bad tv/movies. then i got to talk to my sweetie and now i'm settled in with a nice bottle of wine

eta: i got my awesome new sig pic. he makes me so happy

[brook]

26. Nice day -well spent.

Your sigline makes me giggle too...thanks!

[wildhorses]

12. saw my youngest nephew and

held him in my arms and got some good sugar from him!!!

kid love is the best:loveya:

[brook]

27. You got that right!

I got some good sugars yesterday from my g-granddaughter - the light of my life. Nothing can beat that. I know just how good you felt!

[guitar man]

13. got my donor star back

I have been so broke lately, when I returned to DU a while back, I couldn't afford to donate for a while :(

Now I have my star back, so it's OK to talk to me now!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[brook]

28. Now see...That made me happy, too!

Welcome home!

[guitar man]

31. thanks!

:hi:

[KitchenWitch]

15. I watched the Twins beat the Orioles

And the Tribe beat the White Sox.

All is good with the world.

[brook]

29. I'm not a sports fan but

that doesn't mean I can't be happy for you! I have heard of the Twins, the Orioles and the White Sox...where's the 'Tribe' from?

[KitchenWitch]

54. Cleveland Indians

they are often referred to as "The Tribe"

[brook]

58. Ahh - okay.

You're looking at a woman who told the divorce court that her 'cruel and unusual grounds' were an unnamed national athlete farting in her fireplace. I wasn't expecting the question & bunted.(Ex was connected to sports).

I loved Jack Buck of Cleveland though...so maybe I'll still get to heaven?

[NMDemDist2]

19. i got a sunburn

not a bad one, just pink

i loved it :bounce:

[brook]

33. Glad it's just pink...

I remember (back in the olden days) how happy I was when my nose would start to peel. It was the first sign that I was on my way to a great summer tan. Be careful...

[Lost-in-FL]

20. I made black bean and sweet corn chili

And it is HOT!!!

[brook]

34. Well, geeze...

if I weren't clear the other side of the country, I'd be trying to weazel an invite to dinner. Sounds awful good.

[deucemagnet]

21. I finally replaced a blown fuse in my car.

It was one of those big, 60-amp fuses that are located under the hood and bolt in. I had to remove the car battery and 3 big fuses from the power distribution box to get at the damn thing, but the weather was nice, and I finally got it done. Aren't fuses supposed to be easy to change? :shrug:

[brook]

36. Good for you.

I don't know anything about fuses. A mechanic once looked under the hood of my car and said:"You're not exactly compulsive about taking care of this car, are you?"

[deucemagnet]

49. I must admit, I'm not a fanatic about car maintenance,

I'm just too damn cheap to pay a mechanic to change a fuse! :)

[brook]

60. Don't blame you.

You could put a down on a house in some towns for what a mechanic gets these days!

[crim son]

22. I received an email from the man I met (again) on Saturday night.

One paragraph of his short email:

"You know of course I'm talking about Bernie Lefkowitz, the famous deli owner who died tragically, weeks after Purim when 1,000 pounds of liverwurst slid unceremoniously off the top shelf of his deli located along the shores of downtown Duluth. Unfortunately, he wasn't found until days later when the heat went out in his store, his pipes burst, and the resultant flood alerted the local constable. His frozen corpse, encased in ice, was being slid to a waiting hearse, but when they tried to lift him, he slipped out of their hands, down a bank, and into Lake Superior. He was last seen bobbing into the night. But wait, there's more to the story. Every year, patrons at the local bar celebrate the anniversary of his death by gathering early in the morning on the first Saturday in April and wait patiently for his body to return. Around midnight, those still standing, swear they see his resurrected body floating by the tavern."

Should I see this guy again? :shrug: :rofl:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

32. ...

:rofl:

[crim son]

46. Whaddya laughing at?

He's too good for me? :rofl:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

50. Sounds a bit wacky.

Like me. :D

[crim son]

52. That's the only kind who ever wants to see me twice :)

He has the requisite brown eyes but he doesn't begin to approach your masculine perfection.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

57. ROFL!

Two words that don't remotely describe me.

But thanks. :blush:

[crim son]

64. Even pawpicker thinks yer hawt!

Don't thank me, thank your mom and dear old dad.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

68. I will.

:rofl:

[crim son]

73. Goodnight, SA!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

75. Good night!

:hi:

This is Salt Lick, signing off! :rofl:

[SPKrazy]

83. hey!

ya weren't supposed to tell him :blush:

now he'll think i'm after him....:D

[brook]

37. Hell, you may have a winnah...

I've been married too many times to be taken serially...I mean, seriously. But maybe a bob or two might be fun?

[crim son]

44. I think the entertainment value is there

and since I'm not in fact available for anything more, I'll give it a try. Once, maybe twice.

[brook]

117. There's always

material for another chapter in your book...no?

[SPKrazy]

81. It Might Be The Last Person

you saw? :shrug:

kind of a weird thing, I guess he was just telling you a charming story... :crazy:


:hi:

[XemaSab]

30. I sat at my desk and looked at my American Birding Association checklist.

First I sat and admired the long rows of little x's, then I realized that I had seen quite a few birds that weren't even on the checklist.

A few seconds later a colleague came by and demanded to know why I was smirking. :smirk:

ps 593. Oh yeah.

[brook]

39. I love sneaky people...

like you. :)

I live in a bird sanctuary. I don't know why, but if I see the old Blue Heron on my way to work in the morning, I always yell out (in a very poor Streisand voice) "Hello Gorgeous!"

[XemaSab]

51. Which bird sanctuary?

I may have birded there.

Also, my name is Brooke.

Are you my twin? :shrug:

[brook]

70. Morro Bay.

Heard of it? A bird sanctuary that allows hunting of birds - during the *&$#@! Bird Festival.

Better side: I have about 15 turkeys who come visit me every day. I thought there were prospective felons about the house the other night - it was turkeys on my roof!

This is really a great place - but like our country - it's in the wrong hands.

Maybe I'm a 'soul twin'?

[XemaSab]

80. You don't live too far from me

I am down in Santa Barbara.

What do you do up there in Morro Bay? :shrug:

[brook]

86. Well neighbor...

mostly I irritate the natives and piss off the politicians. And I drink decent scotch and I try to keep the Bushies on edge...and I work part time for a senior program. See? I'm easily amused.

Do you ever come up this way? I used to go down there pretty regularly before we got our own Trader Joe's. Ahhh...you're in school there if I recall? I once took a course at UCSB from the guy who wrote "Casablanca".

[XemaSab]

89. I have been known to come up there

I am not in school. I am werking. :P

I am not down with scotch. :P

[brook]

93. Okay.

It's not the first time I've been wrong.

And who said I was going to give you any of my scotch? I also drink SoBe/Vitamin water/coffee/green tea/ - oh...and gin. Oh...and wine. Yes. And 1/2 and 1/2 in the coffee. When I'm cold...maybe some brandy. Or hot chocolate. Not promising to share any of that either! So there!:P

What 'werk' are you doing?

[XemaSab]

95. I am a biologist working for an engineering/environmental consulting firm.

You know that big project in far southern SLO county?

Yeah.

And Eye of the Hawk beer is some good shit. :D

[brook]

105. Hmmmmm....

the canyon that shall not be named?

I have been somewhat involved with trying to turn MB into an environmentally sound town. There's a big problem with the State park, the bay and the power plant. And the mega-mansions. So many problems...so few years...

We've been slightly lucky to get two on City Council who care about these things. It's a long slog though to displace the troglodytes.

[XemaSab]

121. Not the canyon that shall not be named

The dunes that shall not be named. :P

[LeftyMom]

35. I got flvegan stuck in traffic.

He may forgive me someday. :)

[brook]

40. Why do I get the feeling

that when he does, you'll be 'happy' all over... again? :)

[LeftyMom]

43. Apparently, you've seen us post before.

:D

[brook]

45. Dunno about that....

but I'm not so old that I don't remember life's sweetness.

[Redstone]

38. Survived.

Redstone

[brook]

42. Good!

I've got a kit bag of pain in the corner of the room - and was lucky enough to put it there for the evening.
I know 'survive'. Peace.

[crim son]

48. Survived and posting.

:hug: Fortunately for us all. :hug:

[AlCzervik]

47. spent the day with my daughter, it was fun and weird, we saw a group of

kids pull off some major shoplifiting, it was pretty wild and a bit scary. I got 2 new shirts which i really needed so i call it a good day.

[crim son]

65. Did you...

...pay for those shirts? :eyes: :P

[AlCzervik]

69. oh yeah, they were a good deal, we were at the outlets and one of the "Uncool stores"

the thieving happened at the "cool" skater store.

[brook]

74. We take & keep the good....

do what we can about the bad (the shopliftinf kids).

I have a daughter. Time with her is gold...her Daddy died last month...I can't hold her tight enough...I love her so much.

Going shopping together like you did today...so simple...so nice...being a part of each other's simple day. I find these things more important than the obligatory days - don't you?

[AlCzervik]

82. i do, it was a good time, we walked around the outlets for the whole afternoon

just talking and window shopping and people watching, then we stopped at the coffee place, got some snacks and badly needed coffee for me and sat outside, it was really nice.

i am really sorry about your girls Dad, please give her a hug from me.
:hug:

[brook]

88. I will. Thank you.

:hug: back at ya.

[havocmom]

56. Visited with a couple friends I haven't had a chance to see for a while

It does the soul good.

[brook]

76. Yes it does.

Life gets so busy, the soul goes hungry from time to time.

[grannylib]

59. *lol* That's awesome! I didn't have 'fun' in that sense, but maybe satisfying

would be a better word. I went to the health food store and got a supplement that may help with a chronic hive issue I've been battling for a couple of years, so I am eager to see if it will work at all and help get me off the damn steroids which is the only thing that seems to be effective so far.

[brook]

78. I hope the supplement works for you.

Getting off steroids would be a blessing. Please let us know how it goes.

[grannylib]

92. Thank you! Yes, I'd love to get off them...gained 75 pounds, lost 48 of it,

working on the rest. Shit turns you into an eating machine.

[brook]

96. Yes.

I think sometimes steroids cause more problems than they solve. Understand, I am skeptical of the trend to supply a pill for every problem...so I'm happy you're open to trying a more natural approach now...and do so hope, it will be the right answer for you.

[SCDem]

62. Helped adults with traumatic brain injury set goal to get job

Felt really good because they were genuinely thankful at the end of the hour. Helps me stay at my job.

[brook]

84. Wonderful!

My hat's off to you. Tomorrow I have a half-dozen disabled who come to lunch. I need to get off the Net and fix up the Easter goodies I bought for them!

I don't like my job at all. I do like what I'm able to do for people. I may know how you felt today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear brook...

I had fun today.......

Got to spend most of an hour on the phone with a very dear friend!

We had lots to talk about, and no-one interrupted us......

It was great!

:bounce: :bounce:

[brook]

85. Having time for good friends...

is indeed 'happy making'. Good for you.

[bridgit]

66. swag inferred my "handle is already synonymous with 'petty maliciousness,'"

you just have to know that made me so fucking happy; thank the goddess i have a life IRL

[brook]

98. I admit...

I'm not sure why swag would say such a thing...but I think the goddess likes you too.Speaking of goddesses, 'bridgit' is a particularly beautiful and meaningful name/handle.

[bridgit]

103. eh, he must have been sniffing a particularly acidic wine cork lately...

:shrug: :rofl:

[SPKrazy]

67. I broke 20K posts!

:woohoo:

[bridgit]

71. cheers, bud...

that's allot'ah "lemme see your (fill in the blank)" :toast:

[SPKrazy]

77. Hey...

:toast: ;)

lemme see your _______


:rofl:

[brook]

90. Well 'hoohoo' your own bad self!

Way to go. Here's to your next 20,000! :toast:

[zingaro]

94. 20,000 posts?

Man, get a life.

...oh uh...wait...

:rofl:

:hug:

[mrreowwr_kittty]

108. Oh sure, make me feel inadequate with my paltry 1000!

Just kidding. Love your avatar. AND...I'm a lefty too and my cat is named Southpaw. What a coinky-dink! ;)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

72. Sat on the front porch and listened to the birds

while I grilled a leg of lamb. Oh, and I started reading The Grass Harp. :-)

[brook]

91. If that doesn't sound

like a purt near perfect day, I don't know what would! Do you get spring lamb where you are or is it imported?

I love lamb - but have found imported lamb 'gamey'in the past, so hesitate to buy it. It's hard to find local lamb - except 'on the hoof'. When I first married, my Greek mother-in-law couldn't believe that I - of an Irish family - even knew what lamb was!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

132. This was imported from New Zealand...

It was $1.99/lb, so I felt like I couldn't pass it by!

It turned out nicely, and the remainder will make a nice stew, since it's supposed to be cold again this weekend. :-)

[Wetzelbill]

97. I rode my stationary bike for 45 minutes

it felt good. I wasn't even all that winded and I pushed pretty hard too.

I did break my diet though, but not too bad. I was supposed to go have dinner with my Uncle and he worked late, so I basically starved myself all day for nothing. I went and grabbed some apricot-glazed chicken and some mashed potatoes. It was great. I feel good now. :)

[brook]

101. 45 minutes!

That certainly deserves some applause! Good for you.

Dinner didn't sound so bad either. Best of all - you feel good. With all we're faced with every day, feeling good's somewhat of an accomplishment. Work it! And have a happy Tuesday...

[Wetzelbill]

104. yeah I am coming out of retirement to compete again

so I'm starting to work out pretty hard now. My wind and strength are pretty solid. I still need to lose about 30 pounds or so to be where I need to be competition wise, but I feel like that is coming along decently. But, yes, like I said I feel good. Not even any nagging injuries! You have a happy Tuesday too. :)

[brook]

106. I hope you'll

let us know when you're competing. A virtual DU cheerleader team would be fun!

[Wetzelbill]

111. oh I will

Right now, I have a goal of hitting a specific national tournament. Mainly, I figured I need to take one last shot, I just couldn't live with the idea of not knowing if I could have made it or not. I have literally had dreams haunting me for the last year. :) I start my jiu-jitsu, muay thai, boxing and kickboxing training here in about a month. So I figure in maybe 6 months to a year I should be prepared to do what I have to do. :)

[Jamastiene]

99. I took a nap.

I desperately needed sleep, so I let sleep come get me this afternoon for 3 hours.

[brook]

110. Isn't that perfect?

Waking up...surprised at how much better you feel? I love it. Naps don't usually happen for me - or I fight it, I'm not sure...but when it happens, it's like "Why didn't I do this before?" (I just might be a control freak - but that's our secret, right?)

[Jamastiene]

119. I have a hard time taking naps on purpose too.

That is why this nap today meant so much to me. It was like sleep came and got me and took me away to a wonderful place. I would love to do like my mother does and take what she calls a "siesta" every day at the same time, but I have never been able to do that on purpose.

You are so right. Usually, you do feel better after a nice nap.

[Lisa]

100. I made chocolate hazelnut truffles and brought them to work ...

They were all eaten, and people said that they were second only to a chocolate-cream pie that someone else had made earlier. (I don't mind, because pie would actually be in a whole different category of dessert types!)

[brook]

112. Oh why oh why

don't you work with me? Those truffles will be floating around in my dreams tonight.

I think you get a gold star today for 'happy-making'.

[Bullwinkle925]

102. Yes! I took a nap on the deck in the sunshine and felt wonderful when

I awakened to the birds splashing around in the birdbath. Thanks for asking!!!

[brook]

113. Funny how birds

fascinate us, isn't it? Along with little children, kittens, puppies,etc. they also trigger that 'happy' gene.

[Bullwinkle925]

116. Yes, they do .......

in fact, just this morning my husband said to me "I'd like to be one of your birds" - after I'd gone out to water my plants and make sure the birdbath had fresh clean water in it. LOL. He IS one of my birds as I take care of him just as much as I do the nature outside my back door.

[brook]

118. He's a lucky man.

Bet it's a two way street.

I'm off to bed. Sweet dreemz all!

[mrreowwr_kittty]

107. Making my 1000th post on this thread!!

Yay! :woohoo:

I'm a veteran now, I guess.

[brook]

114. Congratulations!

Catch the 2000th next!

[Skittles]

109. mailed a Lone Star flag to Texan soldiers in Baghdad

yes indeed

[brook]

115. Now that, my dear

is a proper use of a flag! Good on ya!

[NuttyFluffers]

120. read horror stories while listening to surreal and depressing music

ate so much licorice that my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. had to lay down in the twilight, letting the throbbing blood pressure carry me onto waves of dizziness and nausea. then had a nap filled with dreams of despair and futility.

could've been better with the song of the laments of women and children and the gnashing of men's teeth, but overall it was a good day. besides, there is always tomorrow. well, sorta... actually no there's not, but that's still good news.

[slj0101]

122. Well, you certainly brightened someone's day!

[Left Is Write]

123. I walked my daughter to school and gave the teacher two large packages of Fig Newtons

for afternoon snacks.

Why, yes, that did make me feel happy.

I also felt happy when I saw the patio man doing the broom finish on our patio extension, but I didn't feel so happy when I wrote him the check. ;)

[Breeze54]

130. I have to ask---

What is a "patio man"?

[Left Is Write]

133. The man we hired to extend our patio.

[Rising Phoenix]

124. I got my eyebrows waxed

[Roon]

125. I watched the cat spanking video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkAM_31SU0U
And I watched the otters holding hands video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno

Both of those videos bring me great joy! :-)

[stuntcat]

127. omg

I want to remember to watch the Cat Spanking every day, it makes me laugh until I cry!! I haven't seen it in weeks though, thanks for reminding me.

[Redneck Socialist]

126. Well, I tried to do this...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6378225

but it didn't work out so well. :-(

[Z_I_Peevey]

128. Planted flowers, got some housework done, cleaned out my car,

and managed to make it to work on time. All of which makes me very, very happy.

[otherlander]

134. I drew a picture of a monster!

It's shaped like a centaur but ugly, and it's got streets going across its backs, and trees and radios too. And then in its chest you can see its ribcage, and there's a person sitting inside of its ribcage, and he has a thought bubble and in the person's thought bubble is a picture of an angel. And the top half of the monster's head is a bunch of gears and pullies, and its eyes are windows instead, and it's got smoke coming out of its ear and a dead guy hanging out of the ear and a cut on its arm, but instead of blood coming out, there's money coming out!!! MONSTER!!! :bounce:

[mvd]

135. I listened to the new CDs by Brandi Carlile and Fountains Of Wayne

I can't recommend them highly enough! Those CDs are locks for my best of the year list. :bounce: