August Happiness Challenge -- Day 23

Today's Happy Cone is for a mini-shower makeover. I can't afford to finish my bathroom this year. I haven't got enough saved (especially not with expensive dental work on the horizon), and the time that I was going to spend on/with Cute Handyman this summer went to The Big Project instead.

I try not to let this turn of events frustrate me.

So today I wandered back on over to Bed, Bath and Beyond and got new curtain rings and a new shower curtain liner. The fresh whiteness makes me happy.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

YES!

THIS is the kind of Christian I want to be.

There's nothing here that's anti-LGBT, or pro "Christian patriarchy," or about judging women who exercise their legal right to control their own bodies.

This reminds me that I should concentrate on improving my own heart, not slagging someone else's conduct, as I strive to live a Christian life.

It's funny, but I voted for Jimmy Carter in my first Presidential election because I was so blinded by anger over Ford's pardon of Nixon. Now of course I understand that Gerald Ford did the patriotic, compassionate, courageous thing and it cost him his career.

Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter may have been the two best candidates it was ever my privilege to choose between. I wish I had been mature enough to appreciate them in real time.

Sunday Stealing

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The Birds Are Chirping Meme 

 Name a product you buy mostly because it has a cool package. Nothing anymore. But when SJP's original Lovely cologne was still readily available, I liked it as much for the bottle as the scent. Somehow, for a recent birthday, my oldest friend managed to track down a bottle. It's on my vanity and I love how it looks when the sunlight hits it.

What flavor cake do you like for your birthday? Chocolate

Have you ever been in love with someone much older or younger than you?  In love? No. But I did have a rather energetic intimate relationship with a guy 12 years younger than I. It was fun. We never took it seriously because he wanted children and I was already over 40, so we knew there was no future.

Have you ever had a job you loved? I've loved just about every job at times. I'm a writer, and when I'm writing I'm happy. When I'm revising and trying to decipher input from lawyers and proofreading ... that's when I'm no longer in love.

Have you ever been in a building that was on fire?  Yes. When I lived in my former apartment, my downstairs neighbor had a kitchen fire that filled the whole building with smoke.

 Are you in an argument with anyone right now?  No. Blissfully.

Would you change your hair color to something outrageous if you would get paid to? Sure. Are you making an offer?

Have you ever written a poem for someone?  Yes

What is a place you’ve vacationed at and would like to go back to?  Oh, so many! Lately I've been jonesing to return to Graceland, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee ...

Do you eat samples at the grocery store?  Yes

What do you absolutely have to have to make your birthday feel special?  Nothing specific. Just a lot of attention.

What’s the last tourist area you visited? Millennium Park. According to TripAdvisor, it's the #2 place to visit in Chicago, and I'm lucky enough to work right across from it. The contrast of architecture and sculpture and greenery is so cool.

Where do you go out to eat for a special occasion? Chicago is a great city for foodies. Right now my favorite restaurant is 312.

When was the last time you went to a post office? On the 14th. I mailed a large box of donations to our troops via Operation Shoebox.

 Is there an item you are saving up to buy right now?  My dental work. (Sexy, huh?)

Are you psychic in any way?  Not really.

Do you prefer a laptop or desktop? Which are you on now?  I haven't been on anything but a laptop in so long ...

Have you ever received a gift and truly did not know what it was?  Nope.

What’s your homepage? Firefox/Google

Is there a thing you enjoy doing, but quit because you are not good at it? Singing

All things considered ...

... it wasn't so bad.

Saturday morning, I went to the dentist. I was finally getting around to having that chipped tooth repaired. I got the old-school gold crown back in the late 1980s and it gave way last April. It had hung in there for more than 25 years, so I can't complain, and there was no discomfort, so I considered myself lucky.

So does my dentist. He couldn't believe that I wasn't in excruciating pain. As he popped off the crown and cleaned around the rather massive hole (it was a molar), he was amazed I didn't require anesthetic and kept telling me how brave I was. I wasn't brave. I truly felt little if anything. He says the tooth isn't dead, but the nerves must have retracted. He needed to screw in a trio of tiny pins to add strength first to the temporary filling and then for the new crown. Now for that procedure, I requested and got Novocaine.

He did all this in less than an hour. His office is conveniently located and offers a pleasant view of the park. I believe him that he doesn't do any unnecessary procedures, and his techniques and equipment are more modern than those used at the dental office I'd been going to for decades.

I don't like him, though. He makes lots of jokes, presumably to put me at ease, but I don't enjoy them. And this is going to be expensive. We didn't talk about the cost because, what the hell, it has to be done and I have insurance. I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't end up costing me about $800, and I'd be lying if I said that didn't make me wince (perhaps more than the procedure).

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 22

Saturday's Happy Cone goes to my new Bissell Aeroswift 1009. It was the cheapest vacuum clearner at Bed, Bath and Beyond (even cheaper because I used one of those ubiquitous coupons they keep sending me), and yet it works very well. It's light, the cup is easy to clean, and it picked up enough fur for me to build a second Reynaldo.

I needed this vacuum because the cord on my ancient Dirt Devil upright was frayed and dangerous. That sucker is easily 12-15 years old, and the technology has progressed so much in that time. It was considered "lightweight" back in the day,
but now I'm dreading the hassle of hauling it down to the dumpster.

I'm also proud of myself for having actually used my new little Bissell Aeroswift 1009. Besides grocery shopping and laundry, I've done precious little that's productive over my extended weekend away from work and The Big Project.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Guess who came from behind!

Saturday 9

Hello, Dolly!

1) This song is about a woman returning to the town where she was happiest. How many towns have you lived in? Just two.

2) Crazy Sam played Ernestina in her high school production of Hello, Dolly! and still remembers one of her lines: "Hey, you with the big ears! What are you doing after the show?" Tell us something that you memorized for school that is still rattling around in your brain. "Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe." Jabberwocky. Quite possibly the most useless thing rattling around in this old head of mine.

3) This week's featured artist, Louis Armstrong, got his start entertaining diners on riverboat dinner cruises. Have you ever taken a dinner cruise? Christmastime, years and years ago. My friend in the Keys has a December 22 birthday. I was visiting him and we celebrated with a tasty dinner while watching the sunset into the Gulf of Mexico.

4) Armstrong took his nickname, "Satchmo," from "Satchel Mouth" -- a slang term for someone with a wide mouth, which Louis believed was his most distinguishing feature. What do you think people notice first about you? I've been told it's my very green eyes. I suspect it's my multiple chins.

5) In 1936, Louis became the first African American to get featured billing in a Hollywood movie. Have you seen any of this summer's big movies? Inside Out, Spy, Jurassic World, Trainwreck, Man from UNCLE. For what it's worth, I think this summer the ladies have it. Spy and Trainwreck were my favorites.

6) When "Hello, Dolly" composer Jerry was growing up, he was close to an aunt named Belle who encouraged his love of music. Tell us about one of your aunts or uncles. My Aunt Jo was my dad's baby sister and my godmother. She didn't move from the Chicago suburbs to the Tampa suburbs until she was nearly 40, but she considers herself as Southern as Dolly Parton. Her passions include country music, motorcycles and NASCAR!

7) Though famous for composing the scores of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry Herman can't read music. Can you? Nope

8) Now retired, Mr. Herman lives in Miami. This is Miami's "wet season," which lasts into October. When did it last rain where you are? Tuesday night it rained, as my old neighbor would have said, "like a sovunagun."

9) Random question: Have you suffered a sunburn this summer? Not yet. And hopefully I won't.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 21

Friday's Happy Cone goes to  walk in the park. I can't believe it. Here it is the end of August and I strolled through one of our parks for the first time. Really, I hadn't been there since last fall! It was charming. Kids on bikes, moms with strollers, dogs on very long leashes ... everyone enjoying the lush green and the feathery tall reed grass.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 20

Today's Happy Cone goes to giving myself permission. Last night, to borrow from "Mr. Bojangles," I drank "a bit." And why not? I wasn't driving and I was celebrating:
1) My birthday (finally) at Wrigley Field
2) the start of my mini-vacation, four days away from The Big Project.

I crashed on the sofa last night and was awakened very-so gently by my big old tomcat, Joey, who wanted me to know that morning had broken and he was hungry. I fed the felines and lay down for just another minute ... and didn't wake up until 11:00! By the time I was showered and dressed it was 1:00. And you know what? That's fine. That's OK.

Yes, my condo is a mess. But I'm off tomorrow, too. (Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love 'ya, tomorrow!) I can do a little housework then.

Yes, The Big Project is in crunch mode but you know what? It was supposed to be done by now and I'm fried. I'm allowing myself to leave it in the capable hands of Phil and Kevin, the team's two other wordsmiths (who both, incidentally, make more than me). I'm giving myself permission to not worry about it (and to try to let it go when worry creeps in).

My grocery shopping is done and my refrigerator is full and the ballgame is on. And I don't have to go to work tomorrow, either! Yea!

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 19

Wednesday's Happy Cone goes to the happiest place on earth. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Disney aficianados will insist that title goes to one of the Magic Kingdoms, just because they coined the title. Whatever. As a Cub fan, I know I'm happiest when I'm within The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

Ronnie, HOF/radio voice of the Cubs

Last night Kathleen and I finally celebrated my birthday at the ballpark. It turned out to be a ridiculous ballgame, with plenty of sloppy pitching and fielding on both sides. (We lost 13 to 7.) And yet, I was there. Seeing my guys live and in person. Drinking beer (and now they also have vodka!) in the summer twilight.

I love these 2015 guys soooo much, and they really are a special group, but the heroes of my girlhood will always have a special place in my heart. And one of the very best things about Wrigley Field is the way it honors and represents the team's traditions. There are three statues surrounding the outside park, honoring Hall of Famers from the Cubs late 1960s roster: Billy Williams, Ron Santo and, of course, Mr. Cub,  Ernie Banks. It was nice to get to the park early enough to be able to snap photos of the first Cubs I ever loved.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Going to bed with Redford

Oh! I love a man in uniform!

The cable channel Decades has been showing The Way We Were, off and on all day as a tribute to Redford on his (gulp!) 79th birthday. And so I will use my bedroom TV as a nightlight and watch TWWW yet again as I fall asleep.

This is the quintessential Redford/Sydney Pollack collaboration. He's the remote, WASP love object that he also played in his other films with Sydney -- This Property Is Condemned and Three Days of the Condor and Out of Africa -- and he's at his most gorgeous here. It's not my favorite Redford performance, but it is my favorite Redford movie.

And that's because, along with his yumminess, it's got Babs at her best. Noisy, dedicated, uncompromising, right (in her politics and commitment, if not her "style"). Streisand is a force of nature in The Way We Were.

But it's not her birthday, it's his. And so here's to ya, Redford. Happy birthday and thanks for all the dreams and fantasies.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Today's Happy Cone goes to Leon. He's my new best friend. Actually, he's my new phone, my first smartphone.

I got this LG Leon because I had to. I switched from Sprint* to T-Mobile and needed a phone with a SIM card, so I couldn't use my erstwhile LG Rumor Reflex, which had a groovy slide QWERTY keyboard that I'll miss. But Leon gives me access to email, which I was paying for but not getting (long, techy and not interesting story), so it was time for Sprint and me to part company.

I had asked around to see which providers made switching easy, and discovered that no one changes providers because it's a bitch. I wish I had a happier story to share. The T-Mobile sales rep I dealt with at the store was very nice, but he made a one-letter error when keystroking my name into the computer so it took four phone calls and two store visits between Sunday afternoon to Tuesday evening to get my service successfully switched. (And maybe it's not ... haven't received the first bill, yet.)

But the phone is a fun toy and it made me happy to see how this blog looks on a little smartphone screen. Here's hoping I don't become one of those people who is always and forever looking down at her phone.

 *Credo, actually. They're a wonderful company that does a lot of good work, supporting progressive causes. They just didn't have an affordable plan that gave me the services I wanted.


What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's Happy Cone goes to luck. Intellectually, I don't believe in luck. But sometimes shit happens that reinforces my less mature, more pagan instincts. Like Monday and Tuesday, when I happened to pass safely through my front door just as big summer storms hit. And the way the oppressive heat wave and storms are predicted to be out of town just in time for my trip to Wrigley Field tomorrow night. If it's not luck, if it's not a cosmic, karmic reward from Mother Nature, what else could it be?

(Don't tell me. I just want to enjoy the delight/relief that comes from feeling lucky.)

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Sharp Dressed Men

So I saw the new Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie today. I enjoyed it when it was going on. After all, it stars two very handsome men engaging in derring-do while wearing beautifully tailored clothes (Napoleon/Henry's wardrobe is especially impressive).*

I also remember little or anything about it.

I grew up on the TV show and am watching a Me-TV rerun as I post this. It was better. It simply was. There was greater chemistry between the agents and it relied less on violence and more on cheeky charm.

The movie does have exceptional production values and a few plot twists I didn't see coming. But it doesn't have these two. The movie Illya is a damaged soul with a scary temper. David McCallum's Illya is a geek who, while capable of great athleticism, would rather use his head than his hands. While both the movie and TV Napoleons share their love of a good woman and a fine suit, Robert Vaughn's is more optimistic about his ability to get out of whatever dilemma he may be facing at the moment, and the fate of the world at large.

So save your money and watch the reruns.

*The women's wardrobe is distracting, though. The movie is unwisely set in mid-1963, as established by the speech JFK is shown delivering. The women are all shown wearing Carnaby Street/Twiggy style threads, which didn't come into vogue until 1967. (If there's an era I know cold it's the 60s.) Which isn't to say I didn't love seeing all those big beautiful sunglasses and swinging, dangling earrings. They just weren't appropriate.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

Today's Happy Cone goes to creamed spinach. Because I really like creamed spinach. Yes, I realize it's high in saturated fat. But it's also rich in calcium, fiber and Vitamin C. And it's yummy. I'm trying to eat better, and while salad often feels like punishment, creamed spinach is always a reward.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Now #1 in my heart

I want Joe Biden to run for President ... again.

In 1988, when he ran, he was my second choice. In 2008, he was my second choice. But today, he is my first choice. Wouldn't be ironic if now is when he didn't run?

When he talks, I hear him. When Hillary talks, I shut off. Where he sounds sincere, she sounds programmed.

He's proven himself, more than once during the Obama Administration, to be the compromiser who understands how things get done in Congress. And we need to see things done.

He understands the mess in the Middle East (he was so right about Iraq). He appreciates the need to improve our national infrastructure (in ways Obama hasn't demonstrated he does).

Obama himself has said that choosing Joe as his Veep was the smartest move he's ever made in public life. I take that as a tacit endorsement, one that any Dem not named Clinton will need to earn cred with voters of color. While I don't think African American and Hispanic voters will vote in large numbers for the Republican candidate, I also don't think they will ever come out for Bernie Sanders.

I can see Joe Biden saying he's running for a single term, and meaning it. I hope he will do it.

Run, Joe, run!

Sunday Stealing

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Sunday Stealing: I Want You to Be Free from Me
 

Are your nails painted a dark or light color? You be the judge.

Have you ever order pizza online?  Once. It's easier to just call.

What color was the last candle you lit? I don't recall.

 Is there something written on your shirt right now?  "Brookfield Zoo"

Is there a bookshelf in your room?  There are four bookshelves in the den, but none in this room.

Do you own a treadmill?  I own a stepper similar to this one. It's covered in dust. I'm such a lazy slug.

Have you ever signed up for a gym membership? Yes. I used it this week, too!

Is there a garbage can in your room? What color is it? I have a garbage can in the kitchen and wastebaskets in the bathroom and master bedroom. They're all white plastic.

Have you ever read in the bathtub?  No

Have you ever had to wear a hairnet?  Once, for a costume party. I wore a loudly printed housecoat, fuzzy slippers and a wig with curlers, topped by a hairnet.

Do you know how many pages the last book you read had?  296. (I just looked.)

What day of the week does the laundry usually get done?  Sunday

Do you use the Facebook chat often?  Never

Do you have any baby pictures of yourself on your computer?  I have photos where I was a toddler, but not a baby.

Do you eat onion rings?  Nope

What flavor of tea did you last have? Pomegranate. It was fragrant and yummy.

 Do you own a bathrobe?  A comfy but too-well-worn green terry affair.

Did you/will you have coffee or some other form of caffeine today?  Yes! Today and every day.

Do you have a mailbox or do you collect your mail from the post office?  I have a mailbox, which, come to think of it, I have not checked today.

What was the last animal you saw, and was it a pet?  I have a skinny beige cat named Reynaldo by my side as I answer these questions.

What was the last documentary you watched focusing on? I'm going to watch the new one on Chris Farley.

 Is there anything you need to remember to do before the day ends? Eat dinner. I think there's some chicken in the frig.

 Is your car messy, or do you like to keep it clean?  No car

Are you the type to wake up before the sun has even risen? Yes

 Do you get uncomfortable when people stare at you? Yes

 Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for a long period of time? Once I was hospitalized from Friday to Monday when I had surgery. Does that count as a long time?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

Today there's a tie for the Happy Cone. In this corner, we have Mother Nature. Today was hot and sticky. Really ugh weather. Hate it. And as I lumbered through the humidity to Trader Joe's for paper towels, milk and other various and sundry, I recalled walking down this same sidewalk in December to buy the Christmas wreath for my front door. I had only a narrow path to walk then because of the snow. My hands were thrust into my coat pockets because despite the gloves, my fingers were still feeling frosty.

I thought of my friend in California, my family and friends in Florida, and I felt sorry for them. We get the bonus of four seasons, the opportunity to experience our lives in wind and rain and snow and cold and heat. It really is a gift, isn't it? Made me happy.

And in this corner, we have Groucho Marx. The man always cracks me up, and yesterday was his day on TCM's Summer Under the Stars. As they did with Hepburn, TCM ran an episode of the old Dick Cavett Show that was devoted to Mr. Marx. I DVRd it and watched it this morning and was delighted by this. Ole!

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

It wasn't ALL a waste

I had a wasted day. I took myself to brunch at my second-favorite coffee shop, picked up a few things at Trader Joe's, came home, closed my eyes for just a minute ... and woke up four hours later, in time to watch The Game.*

I think I needed the sleep because last week was stressful at work and I don't believe my slumber has been restful. Next week promises to be just as tense, though it will be a short week. I'm taking Thursday and Friday off for two reasons: 1) I'm fried and 2) I have soooo much vacation time stored up that if I don't begin taking it a little at a time now, I'll be out for much of November and December and my boss says he doesn't want that. So somehow the agency will have to survive without me for a day and a half. They can do it. I'm good, I admit it, but I'm not essential.

I'm pleased to report that my second-favorite coffee shop is making strides. Owned by the same family since forever, a new generation has taken over and given it a much-needed face lift. Pendant ceiling lights, new upholstery in the booths, a fresh coat of paint ... it really helps. Nan, the old-but-still-hustling waitress who has been waiting on me at least since 1997, tells me she's worried many of her regulars won't like newer, healthier menu that's being debuted soon. Fewer skillets at breakfast, fewer burgers at lunch and no more veal, ever. I only go there for breakfast, and never have the skillets (too many potatoes), so I don't care.

And I discovered something about myself. After I dropped off a bag at the local food pantry, I stopped at the bank to see how the school supply drive is doing. So far this month I've donated Crayolas -- both crayons and markers -- because I remember how declasse it was to bring off-brand supplies to school. I wanted to see what else was needed because I have a CVS coupon for "office supplies," which are often the same as school supplies. The box was gone, the drive was over, and I was surprisingly sad. I was actually disappointed because I don't get to spend money on folders and pens and pencils for children I've never met, who are no relation to me whatsoever. What's that about?

I realized I feel closer to God when I'm doing for strangers. Helping coworkers, friends and family is good, of course. We should all do what we can to bring others up. But there's something purer about helping a school drive or a food pantry. We don't get thanked. We don't get to see the happy face of the final recipient. We don't even get a receipt for the IRS. Our only reward is the satisfaction of having done it, of having helped. Of doing what Christ wants me to do.

*An important game: Cubs-Sox.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Stay with Me


1) Sam Smith explains that this song is about just not wanting to wake up alone. How about you? Are you comfortable being by yourself?  Very. I find alone time rejuvenating.

2) Last year a lawsuit filed by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, who maintained that "Stay with Me" was really just "I Won't Back Down." Petty and Lynne won. Have you ever served on a jury? Just last month. It was a civil case, with a woman suing the City of Chicago because she tripped in a pothole and messed up her leg. I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed the experience, but I feel strongly that if we're called, we should serve.

3) Smith performed this on The David Letterman Show. Did you watch Dave's final episode last May? Yes. I remember being happy to see Steve Martin and Bill Murray with Dave.

4) Smith says his style was influenced by ladies with "massive voices," including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Chaka Kahn, and Whitney Houston. Of those four, which do you listen to most often? Amy. Here she is singing one of my all-time favorite songs.


5) Speaking of style, Mr. Smith is a smart dressed man who looks comfortable and dapper as he walks the red carpet in a tux. Do you enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions? Ugh. No.

6) "Occasions" is a word that makes Crazy Sam stumble because she can never remember how to spell it correctly. Are you a good speller? Good, but not great.

7) Sam Smith was born on May 19, which makes him a Taurus. When did you last check your horoscope? It's been ages.

8) Tauruses are supposed to be reliable, organized and ambitious. Do any of those three adjectives describe you? I'm reliable and I have been ambitious. I don't think I've ever been organized.

9) Random question: Look at the floor. Do you see carpet, rug, hard wood or tile? Carpet.

 

Flying the W flag

That's W for win, which is what the Cubs did vs. the White Sox today. Caught the last 4 innings after treating myself to a ice cream shake. Victory made sweeter by mint chocolate chip.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

Friday's Happy Cone goes to teamwork. Life at the office has been tense, to say the least. The Big Project is sucking the life out of me. Long Tall Sally's brief but chaotic tenure took its toll. Some but not all of us are being moved to even worse offices as our agency management tries to bolster our bottom line via sublet. What to do?

I sent out an email asking my coworkers to help me put together a box of stuff and things to send the troops. I was impressed and pleased by how much we collected. I bought a couple paperbacks at last week's book fair and added a travel-size shampoo from a recent hotel stay. Christine the Mole -- a most unexpected contributor -- added candy and tampons and tissues. My boss brought a dozen packs of dental floss. One of our creatives brought heavy socks and travel toothbrushes. One art director brought Twizzlers and the other gave me $10 to defer the cost of postage. Alison from the research department brought Pop Tarts and individual cereal boxes. It was enough to fill a very large box (so glad I got the $10 to for postage!) and it brought us all together for a brief time this morning.

All these little things have been specifically requested by our soldiers and will be packed into shoeboxes and sent over to Afghanistan. It makes me happy to know I've helped make them happy, and that we were able to collect these day brighteners as a team.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.