What makes you happy?

I love seeing happy people... I love being happy... I oh so envy the folks that wear that everpresent smile - and seem to suckup every ounce of life... Some people, you can just sense by seeing someone across the room - "hey, I like them." They seem to 'get it.'

I really think surrounding one's self with happy people has an osmosis kinda affect - and it in turn makes the surrounded one happy. Leastwise, that's how I feel. Lord knows I spend too much time at the boat (casino) - but it's like a visit to a shrink, truly. Was a couple there last weekend - each had wedding rings on - and they were maybe early 30's so probably not newlyweds - but they looked at each other, smiled, as if it were their first date. She sat down at the blackjack table, he stood back and off to the side - but was there for support whenever she turned to get support. That made me happy - two people absorbed with each other.

If that wasn't enough... Another couple came later.. Late 20's maybe... The guy was paralyzed, only movement was with his head.. he spoke eloquently.. and was accompanied by a knock out wife who always had her arm on his.. she moved the chips for him.. she fed him Sprite by straw.. she did everything... Happy, that makes me happy.. Devotion for life at such a young age.. They had every reason to chose to be pissed - yet they went the other way... They were even losing and that didn't seem to damper the fun of life. Geez, how can I ever feel down again?

The other night at Happy Hour (holy shit Victor, is that all you do gamble and go to the bar?... Well, no Mr. Talkback, I sleep, I eat, I poop, I pee, I walk Jersey, I hang with Gracie... all kinds of other stuff you opinionated bastard.. so there!).. Where was I.. oh yeah, at the bar with co-workers.. Onea my friends was next to her boyfriend - and justabout the entire time - her hand was rubbing his thigh - not so much to say "hey baby, come home and take me" - but moreso "I like you and I like being next to you." Happy, that's happy.

And you? What sends tingles inside you? We're all perked by different stuff. Kendra cusses out the little automated voice when she orders a UPS pickup on the phone.. MEAN she talks - but it's clever, it's fun to listen to - it makes me happy.

Walking Jersey - her way to stop and smell the roses is to take a sudden, brief stop - find a nifty pad of grass.. turnover on her back and itch, rub and gyrate away. Why don't people do that? Looks fun.. Hell, we all have itchy spots on our backs.. next time I walk her - I think I'll try!

I hope this doesn't come across as sappy - but I love the first moment I see Gracie each day. Her engaging smile tells me "I'm happy to see you - I enjoy being with you" and it permeates happiness thru me. Thanks Gracie, and I mean that.

Leonard, the wonderful old fart here at work. Whenever I enter the room with him - he turns 100% attention to me.. Usually there's a tease coming - but I sheepishly enjoy the attention - he makes me feel good - and that makes me happy. I in turn try to make him laugh. Banter I guess they call it.

Little stuff. Seen an old man and an old lady - he with suit coat, she in the kinda flowered dress that personifies "granny" walking down the street. They're out there sucking up happiness - because they know the sun is going down on life - probably considered being slowed by age as a good thing so they wouldn't miss anything along the way. Happy - couldn't see their faces - but you could just tell they were happy.

Happiness is kinda like paint. Ya get near the brush of happiness - you're liable to be painted happy too. It makes me happy that there are those upon occasion who come here. Happiness too is a choice. I keep referring to Buck O'Neil - but damn what lessons in life he provides. Buck is the feller - now 94 - happened to be black so he happened to not be able to play in the major leagues --- was a stellar player in the old Negro baseball leagues - then a manager -- finally once Jackie Robinson broke the barrier - Buck became the first black coach in the Majors. The name of his book? "I was right on time." Recently, in spite of a humongous email/letter campaign to induct him into the Baseball Hall of Fame - he came up short votes. Everyone was incensed - everyone that is except Buck. "Kansas City is my Hall of Fame... I'm the luckiest man alive." Holy crap. Thanks for the lessons Buck - I promise not to complain about life for at least two more blogs!

Happiness is when you're reading one's blog - you start to nod off because he just keeps going on and on and on and finally he says....... Happy day... (and I MEAN happy day)... bye bye now!