In reply to:

more it seems that "UP" is simply an indicator of anything on the "positive" side of the spectrum; ie -depending, of course, on context
....
i'm wondering if there's a usage of 'up' that doesn't follow this general pattern

bridget96, I add that regarding an up reference as always positive depends on degree as well as context; sometimes, somebody can be too up. I can't be the only one to have had occasion to tell someone to "cheer down." Or maybe I am, and I'm just ornery.