What made you happy today?

[Cool Chris]

I watch TV so rarely and family is happy with our current 10 year old 50" so it never occurred to me to look in to getting a new one. When I did recently I was amazed at how low the prices were!

[max_security]

Actually yesterday but I had forgot that my company gives Good Friday as a paid holiday. Surprise 4 day work week I'll take it.

[Stadler]

That was me too on Tuesday.   I mean, I'm not sure what I'm exactly going to do with that day off, but still.   

[The Walrus]

So, that TV was gonna arrive sometime in May originally. But with Prime, bumped up to Tuesday. Now they changed it, just shipped and will arrive Saturday. In time for Westworld on Sunday and Saul on Monday! Now if my replacement phone would arrive before Saturday, that would be the cherry on this sundae. 

[Grappler]

Every day this week, my daughter has thrown a major tantrum in the morning.  She earns multiple timeouts and eventually calms down and has a better day.  It's been a very challenging week.

Today, our park district (that runs the preschool that she attends) had a few employees drive around to the kids' homes, including ours.  They dropped off bags full of Easter eggs, candy, and egg coloring kits, and included a visit from the Easter Bunny himself, who socially distanced perfectly and waved from the sidewalk.  My daughter was so excited that the bunny came to her home today and she got to see him.

[dparrott]

MLB Network is showing highlights of the 1977 season including the Dodgers winning the pennant in Lasorda's first year as manager.  My favorite minor league baseball team will show their opening day game from a couple of years ago, Tim Tebow's baseball debut.

[pg1067]

MLB Network is showing highlights of the 1977 season including the Dodgers winning the pennant in Lasorda's first year as manager.  My favorite minor league baseball team will show their opening day game from a couple of years ago, Tim Tebow's baseball debut.

I've been loving the programming on MLBN.  They've also been running a 20 or 25 greatest games in the last 50 years series (which I think was produced in 2011).  The one I recently watched was the 16 inning game from the 1986 NLCS (Mets over Astros), and they also had game 6 of the World Series that same year -- with Bill Buckner and Mookie Wilson in studio with Bob Costas and (I think) Tom Verducci.  I think it was because all three series came out opposite of what I wanted, I did not appreciate how great that 1986 post season was.

I got my tax return today! In full. Last year I was penalized the majority of my tax return because I didn't have health insurance for the first half of 2018 which is total bulls#$&, thankfully that got stopped and I have health insurance now anyway. I'm gonna make one hell of a credit card payment, sock most of the rest into savings, and buy a brand new huge 4K TV since my current TV has a ton of burn-in and is 9 years old.

Not to poo poo something that made you happy, but you realize that a big tax return is nothing more than the government repaying a 0-interest loan, right?  Might want to consider adjusting your withholding allowances.

[The Walrus]

Not to poo poo something that made you happy, but you realize that a big tax return is nothing more than the government repaying a 0-interest loan, right?  Might want to consider adjusting your withholding allowances.

Yes, I know exactly what a tax return is.

[DragonAttack]

A friend's husband tested negative at an assisted living facility!  The only good news they've had in the four weeks that they have not been allowed to see each other.

In lieu of the passing of Al Kaline, MLB telecast Games 6 and 7 of the '68 WS between the Tigers and Cardinals.  Taped them, and that's my viewing next week after various Masters' highlights this weekend.

Also, this morning, after zero success for weeks, and on my third different store visit before 730 AM today, I grabbed the last package of toilet paper.  We were a day away from a 'can you spare a square?' situation.

[cramx3]

New Music  and the song is called Music by Nightwish specifically https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwz7-h9LCDU

[black_biff_stadler]

Every day this week, my daughter has thrown a major tantrum in the morning.  She earns multiple timeouts and eventually calms down and has a better day.  It's been a very challenging week.

Today, our park district (that runs the preschool that she attends) had a few employees drive around to the kids' homes, including ours.  They dropped off bags full of Easter eggs, candy, and egg coloring kits, and included a visit from the Easter Bunny himself, who socially distanced perfectly and waved from the sidewalk.  My daughter was so excited that the bunny came to her home today and she got to see him.

I don't mean to be a downer but it seems to completely defeat the purpose of social distancing for them to take a whole bunch of stuff that's had people's hands on it and distribute it to several people. Their intentions were obviously good-natured but the timing is facepalmingly bad.

[Grappler]

Every day this week, my daughter has thrown a major tantrum in the morning.  She earns multiple timeouts and eventually calms down and has a better day.  It's been a very challenging week.

Today, our park district (that runs the preschool that she attends) had a few employees drive around to the kids' homes, including ours.  They dropped off bags full of Easter eggs, candy, and egg coloring kits, and included a visit from the Easter Bunny himself, who socially distanced perfectly and waved from the sidewalk.  My daughter was so excited that the bunny came to her home today and she got to see him.

I don't mean to be a downer but it seems to completely defeat the purpose of social distancing for them to take a whole bunch of stuff that's had people's hands on it and distribute it to several people. Their intentions were obviously good-natured but the timing is facepalmingly bad.

Each bag had a note that confirmed it was packaged while handled with gloves.  The person dropping it on our doorstep had gloves and a mask, and it was delivered by our own Park District, all people whom I trust with the lives of my children daily.  I trust that they're not risking the life of my child by doing something special for families.

And quite frankly, I am a firm believer that this virus is primarily passed when a sick individual is near another person.  Handling something a potentially sick person has touched does not scare me.  I never get sick when I open my mail, packages, or groceries on a regular basis.  I'm not going to get sick in that manner now.  Social media has truly blown that aspect out of proportion.

The timing of their gesture couldn't have been better.  My daughter is tired of being stuck closer to home with her school life disrupted.  She was THRILLED to see the Easter bunny in our driveway and have some small goodie bags to open. 

[Northern Lion]

Every day this week, my daughter has thrown a major tantrum in the morning.  She earns multiple timeouts and eventually calms down and has a better day.  It's been a very challenging week.

Today, our park district (that runs the preschool that she attends) had a few employees drive around to the kids' homes, including ours.  They dropped off bags full of Easter eggs, candy, and egg coloring kits, and included a visit from the Easter Bunny himself, who socially distanced perfectly and waved from the sidewalk.  My daughter was so excited that the bunny came to her home today and she got to see him.

Wow, that is top notch cool!

I don't mean to be a downer but it seems to completely defeat the purpose of social distancing for them to take a whole bunch of stuff that's had people's hands on it and distribute it to several people. Their intentions were obviously good-natured but the timing is facepalmingly bad.

Each bag had a note that confirmed it was packaged while handled with gloves.  The person dropping it on our doorstep had gloves and a mask, and it was delivered by our own Park District, all people whom I trust with the lives of my children daily.  I trust that they're not risking the life of my child by doing something special for families.

And quite frankly, I am a firm believer that this virus is primarily passed when a sick individual is near another person.  Handling something a potentially sick person has touched does not scare me.  I never get sick when I open my mail, packages, or groceries on a regular basis.  I'm not going to get sick in that manner now.  Social media has truly blown that aspect out of proportion.

The timing of their gesture couldn't have been better.  My daughter is tired of being stuck closer to home with her school life disrupted.  She was THRILLED to see the Easter bunny in our driveway and have some small goodie bags to open.

[The Walrus]

Replacement phone arrived last night. First time replacing a broken phone. Within an hour I had all my stuff that was backed up downloaded back to my phone. Pretty much everything except my photos and ringtones and alarm settings. Awesome. I was using the same phone for 4 years so I know I can get at least 4 more out of this Galaxy S7 too.  But yeah, the ease with which I set up the phone and got my stuff back was amazing. They've made it so simple. Of course, I only really use my phone for music and Messenger, so I'm easy to please.

[Lonk]

Replacement phone arrived last night. First time replacing a broken phone. Within an hour I had all my stuff that was backed up downloaded back to my phone. Pretty much everything except my photos and ringtones and alarm settings. Awesome. I was using the same phone for 4 years so I know I can get at least 4 more out of this Galaxy S7 too.  But yeah, the ease with which I set up the phone and got my stuff back was amazing. They've made it so simple. Of course, I only really use my phone for music and Messenger, so I'm easy to please.

Cool, so you got your phone before the weekend after all, and the TV supposed to get there tomorrow 

[The Walrus]

Replacement phone arrived last night. First time replacing a broken phone. Within an hour I had all my stuff that was backed up downloaded back to my phone. Pretty much everything except my photos and ringtones and alarm settings. Awesome. I was using the same phone for 4 years so I know I can get at least 4 more out of this Galaxy S7 too.  But yeah, the ease with which I set up the phone and got my stuff back was amazing. They've made it so simple. Of course, I only really use my phone for music and Messenger, so I'm easy to please.

Cool, so you got your phone before the weekend after all, and the TV supposed to get there tomorrow 

Better yet, the TV's supposed to show up today now! I'll be playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake on a brand new screen all weekend

EDIT: it's already here! Amazon's on fire, man.

[The Walrus]

A few things made me happy today.

LED lights for my TV arrived 5 days earlier than expected. Amazon Prime is really on top of their game even through this pandemic craziness. I was a little apprehensive about receiving packages but honestly, whatever. They're set up and I have to rearrange some furniture now to get the TV a bit closer to the wall, so that'll be fun tonight.

Then, those earbuds I was recommended last week have lasted me all day at work. It's 4:20 PM and I've had them in since 8 AM, only taking them out to charge them from 12-1 during lunch, and they've never indicated they were close to running out. Best pair of earbuds I've ever had.

Finally, I took my old TV and my old digital piano and set them up in my bedroom instead of the living room. I not only freed up space in the living room, but now I have my dream practice setup: my laptop hooked up to my bedroom TV, with my piano set right in front of it, so now I can very easily access and read all of my digital sheets, with a giant digital display. I can turn on my lamp with the blue bulb and practice in a dimly lit or completely dark room, just the way I like it. If my environment isn't just right, I cannot focus on practicing, and I absolutely love this setup.

All in all everything's going swimmingly. Wonder what will happen this week to balance things out. 

[TAC]

You deserve it, brother.

[JayOctavarium]

Woke up this morning to find that I qualified for the federal $600 unemployment on my last state unemployment payment. That extra 600 will help a lot right now.

[Stadler]

A few things made me happy today.

LED lights for my TV arrived 5 days earlier than expected. Amazon Prime is really on top of their game even through this pandemic craziness. I was a little apprehensive about receiving packages but honestly, whatever. They're set up and I have to rearrange some furniture now to get the TV a bit closer to the wall, so that'll be fun tonight.

Then, those earbuds I was recommended last week have lasted me all day at work. It's 4:20 PM and I've had them in since 8 AM, only taking them out to charge them from 12-1 during lunch, and they've never indicated they were close to running out. Best pair of earbuds I've ever had.

Finally, I took my old TV and my old digital piano and set them up in my bedroom instead of the living room. I not only freed up space in the living room, but now I have my dream practice setup: my laptop hooked up to my bedroom TV, with my piano set right in front of it, so now I can very easily access and read all of my digital sheets, with a giant digital display. I can turn on my lamp with the blue bulb and practice in a dimly lit or completely dark room, just the way I like it. If my environment isn't just right, I cannot focus on practicing, and I absolutely love this setup.

All in all everything's going swimmingly. Wonder what will happen this week to balance things out. 

4:20, bro!

Haha, seriously, though that sounds really cool.   Other than food and... uh, "companionship", there's no reason to leave the house! 

[The Walrus]

I didn't make the connection, that's so weird I'd post that at 4:20  Thanks TAC and Stads. Yeah, cooking for one person after a long day at work sucks. That's one of the last things I wanna do. My cooking sucks and all the restaurants are closed, so I guess I'm forced to get better 

Jay, that's freaking awesome. One of the best feelings in life is the relief that comes with a nice financial assist.

[The Walrus]

Got a check from my car insurance company for $50 due to the pandemic. Cool. That nearly canceled out my payment for this month.

[The Walrus]

Trump funbux coming to my bank account next Wednesday makes Kattelox a happy dude. 

[Northern Lion]

Trump funbux coming to my bank account next Wednesday makes Kattelox a happy dude. 

  Funbux, I haven't heard it called that yet.  That's awesome though, what will you spend it on?

I got mine a few weeks ago and my wife and I used it to pay down our van.  I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it put us that much closer to being out of debt, which makes me happy.

[RoeDent]

I saw my first fledgling birds of the year on Friday. A baby sparrow in the afternoon, then a baby blackbird (who I knew was nesting in next door's garden) that sat in the same spot for literally an hour. Must have been its first time out in the big wide world.

[The Walrus]

Trump funbux coming to my bank account next Wednesday makes Kattelox a happy dude. 

  Funbux, I haven't heard it called that yet.  That's awesome though, what will you spend it on?

I got mine a few weeks ago and my wife and I used it to pay down our van.  I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it put us that much closer to being out of debt, which makes me happy.

Nice, dude! I spent a chunk of my tax return this year on material stuff like a new TV etc. (didn't get much of a return last year; health care penalty), so with this check, I'm trying to save about 1000 of the 1200 and putting that directly towards saving for a house. Or I might put less of that in savings and finally finance a fancy new digital piano like I've been meaning to since February

I saw my first fledgling birds of the year on Friday. A baby sparrow in the afternoon, then a baby blackbird (who I knew was nesting in next door's garden) that sat in the same spot for literally an hour. Must have been its first time out in the big wide world.

When I was out walking on Friday, I saw a couple geese sitting by a back door at my high school. After about an hour they started moving and they were guiding four little baby geese around the grass. Cute

[King Postwhore]

Dennis Rodman & Mike Tyson did s podcast together.   I just found out.

[TAC]

So I had a wonderful experience yesterday.

 
I grew up in a small town on the southeastern coast of Massachusetts called Mattapoisett. My parents sold my childhood home after me and my brother were out, in 1994. They moved to Florida while they were still in their 40's. Besides 1994, I have literally drove by the house once, about 10 years ago to show my wife. For some reason, it didn't make much of an impact.

I've been meaning to show my kids the town I grew up in for a couple of years now. On a clear day, you could see the ocean from the house, and I wanted to show them the beach I hung out on on countless afternoons, either with my Walkman or my boombox.

Anyway, yesterday, I decided to take them down there. The house is on a dirt road out in the boonies. As we approached the house, I could see a guy in the driveway. My plan was to park a few houses away, and walk past my old house. But we parked pretty close, and as I walked by the driveway, the guy greeted me. I explained that I grew up in the house, and I was showing my boys the area I grew up.

He said he had been there for like 25 years, and as it turns out, he bought the house from my parents. He even remembered their names. I told him all about the old neighborhood, and he showed me the work he had done in the back yard. The front and back yards looked amazing. He then asked if we wanted to go in and look around. Holy Shit! Are kidding me?? Wow!

I lived in this house from the time I was 3 to 24. I had a mad rush of memories. It was really crazy. He asked if I wanted to see the upstairs bedrooms. I think he wanted to show me some of the things he had done.

So I stood in my childhood bedrooms (There were two kids rooms and my brother and I switched a couple of times). It was simply one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To think of everything I experienced there, as we all did growing up. But for a half hour or so, I experienced a "time machine" and I am so grateful to the guy.

A short walk from the house was the beach. I spent so many days down there, and I was so proud to show my kids. It was an amazing place to grow up and I'm glad I got to share it with them. It was low tide, and it all looked like I was just there. We walked out on to the jetty, and I recognized each rock, having walked them hundreds of times. It was really strange. We picked countless shells, and even found a horseshoe crab skeleton. When I was a kid, you couldn't go down there and not find one.

It was really a day I'll never forget.

[King Postwhore]

Tim, absolutely amazing.  I'm glad the boys were there for it.

Where I grew up turned into a very scary area.  When I go back I actually lock the vehicle doors.

[TAC]

What was amazing is that there has been a lot of development, but at the same time there's a boonies feel. There were so many young families and kids riding their bikes, just as I did. I drove my old paper route yesterday.

I haven't seen the inside of that house in over 26 years. 

[Cool Chris]

That story made me happy.

TAC lived at home till he was 24?

My parents still live in the house they bought when I was 3, in 1979. I visit them maybe once a month and while it will always be the house I grew up in, I mainly think of it as my parents house now. I know someday it will be too much house for the two of them, and it will be sad when the sell. It is only about an hour a way but other than them I have no ties to the area and am never there for any other reason.

[jingle.boy]

Awesome story Tim.  No such luck for that here... My mother sold the house I grew up in from the time I was 5 'til I moved out 3 years ago.  New owners demo'd it, and built a monstrous house (that sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the houses on the street).

I did have a slightly similar experience.  When the jingle.kids were younger, we went on a road trip to mrs.jingle's family farm - about a 5 hour drive north - to visit some family she hadn't seen in a couple decades. Turns out we literally drove by the road the led to what was my grandparents farm that I spent many Christmas' and summer weeks at.  It was only a 3 minute detour up that side road.  Drove by - no one was home though.  Just stared at it for a few minutes, talking thru some memories.  My grandfather sold the farm when my (step) grandmother passed away in '87.  It was a lot smaller than I remembered.  Although, it's probably a case of me being a lot bigger than when I was 7-15.   

[Indiscipline]

Tim, that was wonderful. House and memories aside, there's no feeling comparable to re-visiting "your" sea if you've grown up by the coast.

My mother still lives in the house where I grew up, but my bedroom has become the guests room, my brother's has been turned into the grandchildren's toys storage, while my sister's is a sad attempt at a yoga home gym. A recurring joke between my sister and me during the Christmas holidays (the only time we are there together) is: "what time is the check-out?"

[Dream Team]

I’m happy that the racist uppity bitch in that Central Park video got fired. Leash your stupid ugly mutt like you’re supposed to.

[TAC]

It was a lot smaller than I remembered. 

Nice Chad, and this is what stood out to me. I did not remember the house being so small, especially the bedrooms. I certainly didn't think it was growing up.