Friday, June 30, 2006
New Swing Success!
Took the afternoon off and played 9 holes, just couldn't stand to be inside on a great Friday afternoon. My swing was actually working and felt really good. I had 6 pars, a bogey and a double and was looking at 39 going into the par 5 ninth hole (Monona). Having not played there but one time I didn't realize ob was very close on the left and I hooked it ob by about 10 feet. Hit a 2nd one right down the middle but pushed my approach from 225 ob again. Ended up taking a 9 for 43 but I felt really good about my game again. Next tee time is Monday, hope it keeps up.
Golfockey
Condensed golf/hockey update...
4 man scramble results from Wednesday's league fun night. Tied for 2nd at -3. Swing isn't quite working yet. First 9 iron went way to the right. I did hit a couple irons really crisply, felt good. I was driving like I was on a forced march, left, right, left, right... Missed every fairway, though I was crushing the ball. We also got caught in a hailstorm on the 4th green for about 20 minutes. My next tee time is Monday morning (I'm taking a 4-day weekend). I gotta mow the lawn, it's been 12 days and is once again 10" high.
Hockey last night, we finally won a game, 6-1. We got to shoot on the crappy goalie we had last week, though it was 1-0 halfway through the 2nd before we started scoring more. I moved back to Defense for the first 2 periods and had 3 really good chances to score, but I managed to hit the goalie each time. One time I hit him in the shoulder as I had the high glove side open.
After the 2nd I moved up to center and ended up with a 1-on-1 with a defenseman and beat him to the left and fired low to the far side and scored. Nice to finally get off the snide...
4 man scramble results from Wednesday's league fun night. Tied for 2nd at -3. Swing isn't quite working yet. First 9 iron went way to the right. I did hit a couple irons really crisply, felt good. I was driving like I was on a forced march, left, right, left, right... Missed every fairway, though I was crushing the ball. We also got caught in a hailstorm on the 4th green for about 20 minutes. My next tee time is Monday morning (I'm taking a 4-day weekend). I gotta mow the lawn, it's been 12 days and is once again 10" high.
Hockey last night, we finally won a game, 6-1. We got to shoot on the crappy goalie we had last week, though it was 1-0 halfway through the 2nd before we started scoring more. I moved back to Defense for the first 2 periods and had 3 really good chances to score, but I managed to hit the goalie each time. One time I hit him in the shoulder as I had the high glove side open.
After the 2nd I moved up to center and ended up with a 1-on-1 with a defenseman and beat him to the left and fired low to the far side and scored. Nice to finally get off the snide...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tinkering
I should really rename this Blog to Glog since it's really just about golf lately.
After getting most of the way through Ben Hogan's "5 Lessons" book I decided to head to the range and see if I could just make a few minor tweaks in my swing instead of reinventing it. I only made these changes:
After getting most of the way through Ben Hogan's "5 Lessons" book I decided to head to the range and see if I could just make a few minor tweaks in my swing instead of reinventing it. I only made these changes:
- altered my grip slightly
- turned my arms out a little so my elbows were pointing at my hips instead of outside them
- kicked my right knee in a little so I could get my weight back on my backswing
- made sure I was hitting down on the ball
I hit a big bucket for an hour using my 5, 7 and 9 irons and I felt pretty good about the results. I still had a few shanks and skulls but only chunked one out of about 100 balls. My divot started at the ball instead of behind it and it was pretty consistent. It still felt kind of weird and my hands were cramping up trying to get used to the new grip.
Tonight is league but it's just a fun night (playing a scramble, from the ladies tee for some reason), so I can try the changes out on the course. I'll try to finish the book at lunch. I haven't gotten to the part about the downswing yet so maybe there's still more to do.
I decided that I'm just going to make these slight adjustments rather than re-invent myself. I'm close and my swing isn't that bad, just need to get the consistency. My last post was made shortly after my latest gaffs out of frustration.
Is there any other sport that induces so much frustration? It drives me nuts but the more nuts it drives me the more I strive to get better.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Starting Over
Golfing Friday did not go well, pretty much a continuation of Wednesday, pretty frustrating. I seem to have lost something while I was on vacation. I ended up shooting 95 at my local course, which is not good for me. We did have a good time though.
Saturday morning came very early after about 10 beers Friday. We played a course I have only played a couple times (Pleasant View). I really do like that course and will add it to the regular rotation. If only I could have played worth a crap. I actually got worse, shooting a 55 on the front 9 as I completely lost it and started not being able to stay down on the ball and topping everything. On one hole I must have topped the ball 5 times in a row. It was very frustrating for me and my 4-some and the 4-some behind us. I was really very close to walking off after 9. I've never had that kind of problem before. I couldn't even get off the tee consistently. On the back 9 it got a little better but not much. My chipping and putting were the only things saving me, which, for anyone that's every played with me, would be a big surprise. I did shoot 43 on the back but it was a surprise to everyone since I still looked retarded most of the time. I did manage to hit some big drives but usually followed it up with a chunk or dribbler. Ended up going home depressed and slept for a couple hours on the couch.
Sunday came and I decided it was time to break down my swing and start over. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought Ben Hogan's book on fundamentals and started reading that. I've never really been told how to hold the club or swing so I thought it's time to start. I'm tired of being so inconsistent. I'm going to try to follow what he says and practice doing things the "right" way. I know I'll go downhill a little more before I start to get the hang of it but it's time, I can't keep playing like this.
Saturday morning came very early after about 10 beers Friday. We played a course I have only played a couple times (Pleasant View). I really do like that course and will add it to the regular rotation. If only I could have played worth a crap. I actually got worse, shooting a 55 on the front 9 as I completely lost it and started not being able to stay down on the ball and topping everything. On one hole I must have topped the ball 5 times in a row. It was very frustrating for me and my 4-some and the 4-some behind us. I was really very close to walking off after 9. I've never had that kind of problem before. I couldn't even get off the tee consistently. On the back 9 it got a little better but not much. My chipping and putting were the only things saving me, which, for anyone that's every played with me, would be a big surprise. I did shoot 43 on the back but it was a surprise to everyone since I still looked retarded most of the time. I did manage to hit some big drives but usually followed it up with a chunk or dribbler. Ended up going home depressed and slept for a couple hours on the couch.
Sunday came and I decided it was time to break down my swing and start over. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought Ben Hogan's book on fundamentals and started reading that. I've never really been told how to hold the club or swing so I thought it's time to start. I'm tired of being so inconsistent. I'm going to try to follow what he says and practice doing things the "right" way. I know I'll go downhill a little more before I start to get the hang of it but it's time, I can't keep playing like this.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Big 44
Happy B-day Balderdash.
We're golfing today as part of his b-day celebration, then a party at his house. Not sure if I can make that but I'm definitely golfing.
Played my first summer league hockey game last night. We lost 8-4 but if the goalies had been reversed so would have been the score. Our goalie was perhaps the worst goalie I've ever seen. I think they had about a dozen shots and scored 8 goals?!?!?! I knew in warmups we were in trouble as just about every shot went in.
I played left wing, which is always a little awkward for me as a righty but I've been over there a number of times and am starting to get used to it. I ended up only having 2 shots, one a forehand coming down the slot that I didn't really get a hold of and the second a great backhander on a rebound that happened to hit the goalie in the face. Oh well. I did set up 2 goals, one off a face off I fed my buddy Bill at the point and he really blasted one. The 2nd off a 2 on 1 where I brought it up the left side and fed it across for the goal.
That's it for now, 1:44 till tee off.
We're golfing today as part of his b-day celebration, then a party at his house. Not sure if I can make that but I'm definitely golfing.
Played my first summer league hockey game last night. We lost 8-4 but if the goalies had been reversed so would have been the score. Our goalie was perhaps the worst goalie I've ever seen. I think they had about a dozen shots and scored 8 goals?!?!?! I knew in warmups we were in trouble as just about every shot went in.
I played left wing, which is always a little awkward for me as a righty but I've been over there a number of times and am starting to get used to it. I ended up only having 2 shots, one a forehand coming down the slot that I didn't really get a hold of and the second a great backhander on a rebound that happened to hit the goalie in the face. Oh well. I did set up 2 goals, one off a face off I fed my buddy Bill at the point and he really blasted one. The 2nd off a 2 on 1 where I brought it up the left side and fed it across for the goal.
That's it for now, 1:44 till tee off.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Practice makes imperfect
I swear if I could remove my brain I would be a great golfer. I decided Tuesday that I should go to the range and practice since I didn't feel like I struck the ball that well on Sunday. For some reason my driver was doing this push-fade thing that is not normal for me. I wanted to get the draw back and hit it correctly. Well, at the range that part worked ok and I felt pretty decent about it. Only one problem... my irons were all over hell and I couldn't get my mind around it. Seemed like good swings were resulting in very bad shots. I kept pressing and pretty soon I was a basket case...
Bring on golf league Wednesday night... First drive is pretty straight but not exactly where I'm aiming. Leaves me in the fairway but it was a dog leg left and I didn't get the corner so I'm lying about 185 to the green. I pull out what used to be my trusty 4-iron and put what feels like a good swing on it, only it goes about 140 yards and is a low hook that finds the rough. I'm left with about 50 yards or so, only my brain thinks maybe it's like 70 so I hit it 20 yards over the green. End up with a double bogey. My game was shot just like that. Total basket case.
Next hole (par 3), I richochet one off a tree, chip short from 50 yards (due to previous hole), double bogey. Next hole my drive goes a little left, under a tree, drop, chunk, wedge long but on the green, 3 putt, double bogey. This just continued till we reach the 6th hole (number 15 as we're playing the back 9). I'm 10 over after 5 double bogeys. This time it's a par 5 and I'm under a tree again, drop it hit it in the trees again, then the giant sand trap then over the green into another sand trap, back across the green into the rough, finally chip on and get a 9. Ok, now I'm getting drunk as I've had 4 beers quickly trying to get my brain out of play.
We go to 16 and I step to the tee and proclaim "275, down the middle" and do it. I'm left with about 140 downhill. I pull out a 9 iron. Mike says that it's not enough club and bets me a pitcher that I'll be short. Of course I will... but I take the bet anyway. I proceed to chunk it about 80 yards. Then I have another 60 yard shot which I fly over the green into the water. Ok, I know what the problem is now. I've been playing a found Pro-v1x and I never play those expensive balls. It's gone now and I'm back to my cheapo Wilson. I chip on and drain a 12 footer to win the longest putt contest. But again, another double bogey. I'm now 16 over after 7...
Now, armed with my regular ball, I step up to 17 (another par 5) and once again announce to the others "275 down the middle" and blast one about 280. I'm left with about 210, a little downhill. I grab my 2i hybrid and crush it, only it's long and right and lands behind a bunch of trees past the green. I lob a sand wedge over them and go a little long onto the fringe but 2 putt and get my par. See, it was just the ball!
Onto 18 we go and I crush another drive but it ends up about 3 feet into the left rough. I pull out a wedge from 120 and fly it 20 yards over the green... ok, WTF! I chipped back on and made my putt for par. Definitely the ball.
So, let's recap. Pro-v1x ($40/dozen) - 16 over after 7. Wilson iWound ($10/dozen) - even par.
Worst 9 of the year with a 52. Yuk...
Bring on golf league Wednesday night... First drive is pretty straight but not exactly where I'm aiming. Leaves me in the fairway but it was a dog leg left and I didn't get the corner so I'm lying about 185 to the green. I pull out what used to be my trusty 4-iron and put what feels like a good swing on it, only it goes about 140 yards and is a low hook that finds the rough. I'm left with about 50 yards or so, only my brain thinks maybe it's like 70 so I hit it 20 yards over the green. End up with a double bogey. My game was shot just like that. Total basket case.
Next hole (par 3), I richochet one off a tree, chip short from 50 yards (due to previous hole), double bogey. Next hole my drive goes a little left, under a tree, drop, chunk, wedge long but on the green, 3 putt, double bogey. This just continued till we reach the 6th hole (number 15 as we're playing the back 9). I'm 10 over after 5 double bogeys. This time it's a par 5 and I'm under a tree again, drop it hit it in the trees again, then the giant sand trap then over the green into another sand trap, back across the green into the rough, finally chip on and get a 9. Ok, now I'm getting drunk as I've had 4 beers quickly trying to get my brain out of play.
We go to 16 and I step to the tee and proclaim "275, down the middle" and do it. I'm left with about 140 downhill. I pull out a 9 iron. Mike says that it's not enough club and bets me a pitcher that I'll be short. Of course I will... but I take the bet anyway. I proceed to chunk it about 80 yards. Then I have another 60 yard shot which I fly over the green into the water. Ok, I know what the problem is now. I've been playing a found Pro-v1x and I never play those expensive balls. It's gone now and I'm back to my cheapo Wilson. I chip on and drain a 12 footer to win the longest putt contest. But again, another double bogey. I'm now 16 over after 7...
Now, armed with my regular ball, I step up to 17 (another par 5) and once again announce to the others "275 down the middle" and blast one about 280. I'm left with about 210, a little downhill. I grab my 2i hybrid and crush it, only it's long and right and lands behind a bunch of trees past the green. I lob a sand wedge over them and go a little long onto the fringe but 2 putt and get my par. See, it was just the ball!
Onto 18 we go and I crush another drive but it ends up about 3 feet into the left rough. I pull out a wedge from 120 and fly it 20 yards over the green... ok, WTF! I chipped back on and made my putt for par. Definitely the ball.
So, let's recap. Pro-v1x ($40/dozen) - 16 over after 7. Wilson iWound ($10/dozen) - even par.
Worst 9 of the year with a 52. Yuk...
Monday, June 19, 2006
Treasure Hunters
Anyone watch Treasure Hunters on NBC last night? It's pretty cool. Similar to Amazing Race but they have to solve cryptic puzzles in order to determine their next destination.
One thing I found fun was to launch Google Earth and enter the next destination they were going to and it would fly from the current destination to the next. Google Earth is sweet. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do so, it's free. You can even do a virtual road trip and see exactly how you'll get somewhere.
My dad and I played in a Father/Son golf tourney yesterday. We did ok, shot 88 (43/45). Each of us blew a few shots or we could have done better. It was an interesting format. Both hit tee shots then it's alternate shot after that, starting with the plaer who's drive was not used. That made sense as it stopped me from hitting a long tee shot and having a chance at reaching a par 5 in 2 since my dad had to hit the 2nd shot.
Got done in time to see Phil choke the US Open.. classic Phil.
Went through a car wash at lunch and saw something amazing. Somehow those rubber thingies that spin around managed to open the door to my gas tank and not only that, managed to somehow unscrew the cap as well! As it was being dried I looked in my side mirror and noticed the cap hanging down. WTF? I have no idea how that could happen. It's not like I just got gas before hand and forgot to put the cap on. I got gas yesterday and drove over 100 miles and walk by the cap every time I get in the car... I probably would have noticed. Chalk it up to a miracle.
Hard getting back in the swing of working again after a week off. That first day is always the hardest.
Gotta mow the lawn tonight! But I also have a haircut and game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals is on at 7. Stupid lawn. Awesome Tivo... :)
Later, my lunch is ready!
One thing I found fun was to launch Google Earth and enter the next destination they were going to and it would fly from the current destination to the next. Google Earth is sweet. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do so, it's free. You can even do a virtual road trip and see exactly how you'll get somewhere.
My dad and I played in a Father/Son golf tourney yesterday. We did ok, shot 88 (43/45). Each of us blew a few shots or we could have done better. It was an interesting format. Both hit tee shots then it's alternate shot after that, starting with the plaer who's drive was not used. That made sense as it stopped me from hitting a long tee shot and having a chance at reaching a par 5 in 2 since my dad had to hit the 2nd shot.
Got done in time to see Phil choke the US Open.. classic Phil.
Went through a car wash at lunch and saw something amazing. Somehow those rubber thingies that spin around managed to open the door to my gas tank and not only that, managed to somehow unscrew the cap as well! As it was being dried I looked in my side mirror and noticed the cap hanging down. WTF? I have no idea how that could happen. It's not like I just got gas before hand and forgot to put the cap on. I got gas yesterday and drove over 100 miles and walk by the cap every time I get in the car... I probably would have noticed. Chalk it up to a miracle.
Hard getting back in the swing of working again after a week off. That first day is always the hardest.
Gotta mow the lawn tonight! But I also have a haircut and game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals is on at 7. Stupid lawn. Awesome Tivo... :)
Later, my lunch is ready!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Home Sweet Home
Thank god it's over. I can go back to golfing and watching my big screen tv in peace. Never again will I do that.
One thing it did do for us was to confirm that our decision to not have kids was the right one. I just don't have the patience for it. I was inches from smothering him with a pillow in his sleep...
Got back today around noon. Of course it was 92 here, much cooler than the 95 in Florida. Christ... I just vedged and watched the US Open (stupid Stricker, yay Phil) and game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. Edmonton put an ass whupping on Carolina, can't wait for game 7.
Oh, speaking of Stanley cup finals, I found games 1 and 2 on itunes in condensed format before we left for Florida and watched them on the plane. Sweet, almost entire game in 30 minutes. I'm liking the iTunes video's. Has anyone seen David Spade's new show on Comedy Central? It's hillareous. I bought the first 2 episodes on iTunes too. Very funny, I'll start tivoing it now.
My dad called this afternoon for 2 reasons: 1) To give me a big fat "I told you so" regarding taking my nephew (his grandson) to Disney and 2) to invite me to a father/son golf tournament at his country club. Wow, finally, I'm only 41 and it's our first father/son thing... sheesh. Of course I said yes once he mentioned it was already paid for. Only downside is I'll have to tivo the US Open so I don't miss it. We don't tee off till 1:00pm.
Well, anyway, it's good to be home and have just my dogs to worry about again. Nice thing about dogs... they think the world revolves around you, not around them.
One thing it did do for us was to confirm that our decision to not have kids was the right one. I just don't have the patience for it. I was inches from smothering him with a pillow in his sleep...
Got back today around noon. Of course it was 92 here, much cooler than the 95 in Florida. Christ... I just vedged and watched the US Open (stupid Stricker, yay Phil) and game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. Edmonton put an ass whupping on Carolina, can't wait for game 7.
Oh, speaking of Stanley cup finals, I found games 1 and 2 on itunes in condensed format before we left for Florida and watched them on the plane. Sweet, almost entire game in 30 minutes. I'm liking the iTunes video's. Has anyone seen David Spade's new show on Comedy Central? It's hillareous. I bought the first 2 episodes on iTunes too. Very funny, I'll start tivoing it now.
My dad called this afternoon for 2 reasons: 1) To give me a big fat "I told you so" regarding taking my nephew (his grandson) to Disney and 2) to invite me to a father/son golf tournament at his country club. Wow, finally, I'm only 41 and it's our first father/son thing... sheesh. Of course I said yes once he mentioned it was already paid for. Only downside is I'll have to tivo the US Open so I don't miss it. We don't tee off till 1:00pm.
Well, anyway, it's good to be home and have just my dogs to worry about again. Nice thing about dogs... they think the world revolves around you, not around them.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Disney World - Day 4
It’s a cool 93 today. Yeah, well at least it’s super humid too! So, those of you with your 75 and perfect you can kiss my ass.
Today is golf league day. I wish I was golfing instead of this, honestly. My wife is sick in bed and my nephew is a pain in my ass. He will not listen. He’s now being punished with a forced nap while I sit at the poolside bar with my MacBook writing this and his blog entry while drinking a few $6 Casa beers from Africa.
I knew bringing a kid to Disney World wouldn’t be a walk in the park for either of us since we are over 40 and don’t have kids. I just didn’t realize how quickly I would lose my patience! Day 1, wham, I lost it. I swear he and my border collie are twins. They both listen for about 2 seconds and go right back to doing what I just got done telling them not to do.
Today we were walking back to the monorail and we have these little battery powered fans that are kind of flimsy. He wanted to use it so I said ok and handed it to him. I turn around and he’s jamming his fingers into the fan blades which are not very strong and made of paper basically. Not wanting it to be ruined immediately I said “Michael, don’t put your fingers in there ever again.” He mumbled something and I turned around and kept walking. I looked back not 10 seconds later and he’s got his finger in there again!!!! WTF! I yanked it out of his hands and said “Are you deaf?” Then I told him that we were going swimming but now we’re not and he’ll just be sitting quietly in the room staring at the wall since he obviously can’t listen to anything anyone says.
This has been going on every 30 seconds since Sunday. I swear I’m going to take him to the pool and hold him under. I also learned that his favorite way to start a sentence is “I want”. Everything he says starts that way. I want this, I want that. I told him I want him to learn some freakin’ manners. He doesn’t even say thank you for anything. Drives me nuts. Wish I’d gotten permission to smack the shit out of him.
Today is golf league day. I wish I was golfing instead of this, honestly. My wife is sick in bed and my nephew is a pain in my ass. He will not listen. He’s now being punished with a forced nap while I sit at the poolside bar with my MacBook writing this and his blog entry while drinking a few $6 Casa beers from Africa.
I knew bringing a kid to Disney World wouldn’t be a walk in the park for either of us since we are over 40 and don’t have kids. I just didn’t realize how quickly I would lose my patience! Day 1, wham, I lost it. I swear he and my border collie are twins. They both listen for about 2 seconds and go right back to doing what I just got done telling them not to do.
Today we were walking back to the monorail and we have these little battery powered fans that are kind of flimsy. He wanted to use it so I said ok and handed it to him. I turn around and he’s jamming his fingers into the fan blades which are not very strong and made of paper basically. Not wanting it to be ruined immediately I said “Michael, don’t put your fingers in there ever again.” He mumbled something and I turned around and kept walking. I looked back not 10 seconds later and he’s got his finger in there again!!!! WTF! I yanked it out of his hands and said “Are you deaf?” Then I told him that we were going swimming but now we’re not and he’ll just be sitting quietly in the room staring at the wall since he obviously can’t listen to anything anyone says.
This has been going on every 30 seconds since Sunday. I swear I’m going to take him to the pool and hold him under. I also learned that his favorite way to start a sentence is “I want”. Everything he says starts that way. I want this, I want that. I told him I want him to learn some freakin’ manners. He doesn’t even say thank you for anything. Drives me nuts. Wish I’d gotten permission to smack the shit out of him.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Alberto
What a stupid name, go to hell you Alberto... you're ruining my vacation.
Here's what I woke up to yesterday.
Just looked at a US radar map. This is the only storm system in the entire country! WTF...
It pretty much rained all day yesterday so we didn't do a lot. Got up this morning and it's not raining right this second but it's super windy and looks like we should have heavy bursts of rain throughout the day. Yippee... but it's not enough to keep us away from the parks a second day. We're heading back to the Magic Kingdom for more fun and excitement.
I see the weather is perfect in Wisconsin... that figures.
Here's what I woke up to yesterday.
Just looked at a US radar map. This is the only storm system in the entire country! WTF...
It pretty much rained all day yesterday so we didn't do a lot. Got up this morning and it's not raining right this second but it's super windy and looks like we should have heavy bursts of rain throughout the day. Yippee... but it's not enough to keep us away from the parks a second day. We're heading back to the Magic Kingdom for more fun and excitement.
I see the weather is perfect in Wisconsin... that figures.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Rain Rain, Go Away
Alberto is sprinkling on us today. Looks like 2 days of rain. Boo, hiss, you suck!
We were at Magic Kingdom till 1:30am this morning. Awesome! Slept till 11. Michael slept till noon...
Not sure what we're going to do today.
We were at Magic Kingdom till 1:30am this morning. Awesome! Slept till 11. Michael slept till noon...
Not sure what we're going to do today.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Sleepless in Rockford
Ok, vacation not going so great...
We're in Rockford, Illinois, waiting on a plane coming from Las Vegas carrying a part required to make our plane work. Fucking Allegiant Air, never again will I go cheap to save a buck. It looks like a 7 hour delay at best. We're stuck in the terminal too since they've shut down security. Can you say tiny airport? Yeah, I thought you could. At least they have internet access and I have my new MacBook. Unfortunately I packed my a/c adapter cord in my suitcase which is already on the plane. My battery will be dead before the flight takes off... sonofa.
Oh, and did I mention it's 55 outside and the air conditioning in this terminal is actually set LOWER? I am wearing shorts and a tee shirt and freezing my nads off. What fun.
Oh, one more thing. I found a beer lady... Only miller and bud but it's beer so I'm not complaining.
We're in Rockford, Illinois, waiting on a plane coming from Las Vegas carrying a part required to make our plane work. Fucking Allegiant Air, never again will I go cheap to save a buck. It looks like a 7 hour delay at best. We're stuck in the terminal too since they've shut down security. Can you say tiny airport? Yeah, I thought you could. At least they have internet access and I have my new MacBook. Unfortunately I packed my a/c adapter cord in my suitcase which is already on the plane. My battery will be dead before the flight takes off... sonofa.
Oh, and did I mention it's 55 outside and the air conditioning in this terminal is actually set LOWER? I am wearing shorts and a tee shirt and freezing my nads off. What fun.
Oh, one more thing. I found a beer lady... Only miller and bud but it's beer so I'm not complaining.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Packing Day
We leave tomorrow morning for Disney World for a week. That means today is Packing Day! I went to Target yesterday and loaded up on miniature toiletries. Isn't it cool how you can buy little deodorants, toothpaste, etc. How great is America! :)
It also means that today is mow the lawn again day. I'm hoping to mow it pretty short so it won't be 8 feet tall when I get back. But, on the way to work it started sprinkling. I'm hoping the rain holds off to later in the day or mowing will be tough.
My nephew is pretty stoked, he can't wait to meet the Star Wars characters at MGM Studios. This will be their last weekend so we're getting there just in time.
Weather forecast for Orlando is basically 95 and humid every day... yikes.
I probably won't be blogging for a week.
Later!
It also means that today is mow the lawn again day. I'm hoping to mow it pretty short so it won't be 8 feet tall when I get back. But, on the way to work it started sprinkling. I'm hoping the rain holds off to later in the day or mowing will be tough.
My nephew is pretty stoked, he can't wait to meet the Star Wars characters at MGM Studios. This will be their last weekend so we're getting there just in time.
Weather forecast for Orlando is basically 95 and humid every day... yikes.
I probably won't be blogging for a week.
Later!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Obviously everyone's favorite topic!
And once again, it's golf league chat, starring your host, me! :)
Yesterday was one of those days at work where you spend all the damn day trying to solve one stupid problem caused by the fucking shitty development tool you HAVE to use (I won't name names). I spent 8 hours solving a problem that basically just came down to the tool not liking that I changed the output directory without first consulting it and heaping the required praise and gifts upon it. Fucking POS.
Anywho, at about 3:30 I finally figured it out and said that's it, I'm out! That was about an hour early but it was golf league night and I needed to lubricate my insides before hitting the course. I hopped in the trusty Murano and headed for home. Once there I grabbed the first Guinness I saw and slammed it down. After letting the dogs out I changed and took off for the course. Yeah, I was an hour early for league but that gave me a chance to do some chipping, putting and have another beer (Capital Island Wheat for those playing at home). About a half hour or so of that and I felt just about good enough to play. I grabbed another beer (again, Capital) and sat on the picnic table in the shade by the 9th green and relaxed.
Finally Dr. Mike showed up and it was time for us to play. Since Dr. Mike hadn't had a beer yet he went inside to get one so I had him get me another. We teed off and Mike and our 3rd (we didn't have a 4th today) "other Mike" both hit their drives too far and went into a pond. I didn't have that problem as I hit a pop up-pull-hook that made the 18th fairway (that's very hard to do). Wow, what a way to start after all that preparation! I lit a cigar that Dr. Mike brought me (Arturo Fuente) and headed out. I was in good shape and I could barely see the pin but couldn't tell the distance. I guessed 135ish so I hit a 9 iron which went a little long and left and put me in the rough behind a sand trap. I tried to flop over it but left it short and it dribbled back into the trap. Blasted out, 2 putted, double bogey! Great, maybe I'm not drinking enough...
Next hole, par 3, I just missed left, chipped to about 6" and tapped in for par. Next hole was a crushed drive on a par 4 leaving myself about 75 yards to the pin. I hit a 2/3rds gap wedge a little long but 2 putted for par. Ok, I'm not feeling too bad now. I'm about half into the other beer now. What is that, about 5? Ok, probably should slow down.
Nice little par 4 next, I chunk-pull my 5 iron off the tee (just laying up before a creek) and leave myself about 165 to an elevated tee in the first cut of rough. I hit a pretty good 6-iron but it drew more than I had planned and ended up on the far left side of the green, about 40' away. I didn't read the break very well and 3 putted for bogey.
Par 3 again, about 132 this time. I hit 9 iron to the left half and 2 putted for par. Then came the hole I really screwed up. Par 5, about 500 yards straight away into the wind. I hit a low screamer about 230 yards into the center of the fairway. At this point I'm thinking "get it to 100 yards and hit gap wedge" so I hit my 3i hybrid and I'll be damned if it isn't sitting a couple feet right of the 100 yard marker. Perfect. I grab my gap wedge and I get about 80% into my backswing and some jackass in my head yells out "stop the club there!" What the fuck? Are you kidding me? So, of course I stop it and screw up my timing, yanking up as I came through and hitting a low beebee waaaaaay long and left myself on the side of the ladies tee on 18, horrible shot coming back which I missed. Chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 7. Brutal! What the hell. That really was stupid.
I hit an ok drive on the next hole considering how pissed I was. Did I mention the cart girl came by so I got another brew? Yeah... probably not smart. From the rough I managed to hit the green with a wedge from 130 downhill. 2 putted for par. Ok, another par 5 coming up. This one we'll do right. Shank! Pulled my drive into the rough only about 150 yards, sick. I hit hybrid just over a sand trap to the right, left about 190 to the pin. Only problem, I have to half stand in the trap with the ball above me. Not really an easy way to hit a 4 iron, so yeah, I chunked it down the hill to about 80 yards. Gap wedge to the back fringe and 2 putted for bogey there.
On the last hole I managed to hit a straight but not terribly long drive and had about 140 left. I hit 8 iron to about 12' and just missed the birdie putt. Ended up shooting 42 with 5 pars, 2 bogies and 2 doubles. Didn't feel that good. "Other Mike" also had a 42 (he birdied the 8th to take a one stroke lead over me but bogied the last hole to let me tie him). Dr. Mike continues his resurgence from an awful start with a 45. He and I had jumped into 3rd after our excellent rounds last week. We should move up even more after this one.
We are both on vacation next week so it'll be up to our subs.
I'll probably have one more post before we leave for Disney World on Saturday morning.
Later!
Yesterday was one of those days at work where you spend all the damn day trying to solve one stupid problem caused by the fucking shitty development tool you HAVE to use (I won't name names). I spent 8 hours solving a problem that basically just came down to the tool not liking that I changed the output directory without first consulting it and heaping the required praise and gifts upon it. Fucking POS.
Anywho, at about 3:30 I finally figured it out and said that's it, I'm out! That was about an hour early but it was golf league night and I needed to lubricate my insides before hitting the course. I hopped in the trusty Murano and headed for home. Once there I grabbed the first Guinness I saw and slammed it down. After letting the dogs out I changed and took off for the course. Yeah, I was an hour early for league but that gave me a chance to do some chipping, putting and have another beer (Capital Island Wheat for those playing at home). About a half hour or so of that and I felt just about good enough to play. I grabbed another beer (again, Capital) and sat on the picnic table in the shade by the 9th green and relaxed.
Finally Dr. Mike showed up and it was time for us to play. Since Dr. Mike hadn't had a beer yet he went inside to get one so I had him get me another. We teed off and Mike and our 3rd (we didn't have a 4th today) "other Mike" both hit their drives too far and went into a pond. I didn't have that problem as I hit a pop up-pull-hook that made the 18th fairway (that's very hard to do). Wow, what a way to start after all that preparation! I lit a cigar that Dr. Mike brought me (Arturo Fuente) and headed out. I was in good shape and I could barely see the pin but couldn't tell the distance. I guessed 135ish so I hit a 9 iron which went a little long and left and put me in the rough behind a sand trap. I tried to flop over it but left it short and it dribbled back into the trap. Blasted out, 2 putted, double bogey! Great, maybe I'm not drinking enough...
Next hole, par 3, I just missed left, chipped to about 6" and tapped in for par. Next hole was a crushed drive on a par 4 leaving myself about 75 yards to the pin. I hit a 2/3rds gap wedge a little long but 2 putted for par. Ok, I'm not feeling too bad now. I'm about half into the other beer now. What is that, about 5? Ok, probably should slow down.
Nice little par 4 next, I chunk-pull my 5 iron off the tee (just laying up before a creek) and leave myself about 165 to an elevated tee in the first cut of rough. I hit a pretty good 6-iron but it drew more than I had planned and ended up on the far left side of the green, about 40' away. I didn't read the break very well and 3 putted for bogey.
Par 3 again, about 132 this time. I hit 9 iron to the left half and 2 putted for par. Then came the hole I really screwed up. Par 5, about 500 yards straight away into the wind. I hit a low screamer about 230 yards into the center of the fairway. At this point I'm thinking "get it to 100 yards and hit gap wedge" so I hit my 3i hybrid and I'll be damned if it isn't sitting a couple feet right of the 100 yard marker. Perfect. I grab my gap wedge and I get about 80% into my backswing and some jackass in my head yells out "stop the club there!" What the fuck? Are you kidding me? So, of course I stop it and screw up my timing, yanking up as I came through and hitting a low beebee waaaaaay long and left myself on the side of the ladies tee on 18, horrible shot coming back which I missed. Chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 7. Brutal! What the hell. That really was stupid.
I hit an ok drive on the next hole considering how pissed I was. Did I mention the cart girl came by so I got another brew? Yeah... probably not smart. From the rough I managed to hit the green with a wedge from 130 downhill. 2 putted for par. Ok, another par 5 coming up. This one we'll do right. Shank! Pulled my drive into the rough only about 150 yards, sick. I hit hybrid just over a sand trap to the right, left about 190 to the pin. Only problem, I have to half stand in the trap with the ball above me. Not really an easy way to hit a 4 iron, so yeah, I chunked it down the hill to about 80 yards. Gap wedge to the back fringe and 2 putted for bogey there.
On the last hole I managed to hit a straight but not terribly long drive and had about 140 left. I hit 8 iron to about 12' and just missed the birdie putt. Ended up shooting 42 with 5 pars, 2 bogies and 2 doubles. Didn't feel that good. "Other Mike" also had a 42 (he birdied the 8th to take a one stroke lead over me but bogied the last hole to let me tie him). Dr. Mike continues his resurgence from an awful start with a 45. He and I had jumped into 3rd after our excellent rounds last week. We should move up even more after this one.
We are both on vacation next week so it'll be up to our subs.
I'll probably have one more post before we leave for Disney World on Saturday morning.
Later!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Storms rolling by
Some excellent storms tonight came rolling through. Lots of rotation in these small isolated super cells. We got pretty lucky and got bypassed by this one. It was one of the smaller ones going by. There was quite a bit of lightning but I couldn't get a picture of it.
Monday, June 05, 2006
More Kool-aid for me
Got out golfing early Saturday morning thinking we’d be done by 11:30. 12:15 we finally walked off the 18th green. 4 guys in front of us riding and us walking and they held us up the entire time. Took 5 hours to play. I shot 43, 48 for 91 with some god awful putting. I had 4 3-putts and 3 1-putts on the front nine alone. I either made them or missed them badly. Did sink a 20 footer for birdie on a par 3 and par’d 2 of the other par 3’s but took a 6 on one of them.
After that we had lunch and a couple Guinness before heading home to our angry wives a little after 1:00.
We then went to Milwaukee because I wanted to visit the Apple Store. I had my eyes set on the new MacBook and it didn’t disappoint. I picked up the base model for $1,099. It works and it works very well. I could never get my old hp laptop to work like that. Plus it’s very thin and light. I feel like I could take it with me daily and not really notice it. I’ve been on it constantly since we got home Saturday night and the battery life has been very good so far. I’ll be taking it on our trip to Disney World (we leave Saturday). I’m not sure if I’ll blog while I’m there or just write postings for when I get back. I’ll take a few movies along and watch those on the flights and so forth. I downloaded a few video’s for $1.99 from iTunes too. I was surprised at the quality of the resolution. I thought it would have to be watched in a tiny screen but it’s not bad at all. That brings me up to 6 Apple products in my home now. An old iMac, a new iMac (20" screen), 3 iPod mini's (1 mine, 2 for Cdubya, she won 1 of them) and the MacBook. I guess you could say I've had a few gallons of the kool-aid.
I think I'll create a blog for my nephew to write about his vacation, if we have internet access. Surprisingly I didn't see any information about the Animal Kingdom lodge having wireless internet access. Doesn't every good hotel have this now???
So, Saturday, excellent day. Sunday we finally got out to see The DaVinci Code. Stop reading here if you don’t want to know how I felt about it.
Ok, for those of you left. Save your money. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been that bored in a movie before. Especially one starring Tom Hanks. I fell asleep at least 4 times. I guess it just goes to show you that you can take a great book, a great actor and a great director and make a shitty movie. It’s just all standing around and talking. Nothing ever happens. When you got 2 ½ hours doing that I don’t care who you are, you’ll be bored eventually.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
League night sunshine?
Wait, what is that in the sky? On a Wednesday? During golf league? Yes, I believe it is the sun!
Beautiful night last night for golfing. To get in the mood I grabbed 2 beers and fired up a cigar before we hit the first tee. Even the cigar was burning perfectly.
Our flag events for the night were longest drive in the fairway on 1 and fewest putts. Well, I certainly am one of the longer hitters in the league so I should have a pretty good shot at that. I step up and wham! I crush one. Unfortunately, it starts out down the middle and has a draw to it and ends up about 10' into the left rough. As a consolation it was about 40 yards past the mark of the person who won. Oh well.
As for fewest putts... uh, anyone that knows me knows I will not be in that competition for long. I had 20 putts on my way to a 43. I 3 putted the 8th and 9th for bogies. I left 2 4-5' putts for pars short. I just couldn't hit the ball hard enough to get them to the hole. I'll blame it on Whistling Straits and their lightning quick greens.
Mike actually 4 putted the first hole as he overcompensated and rammed his first putt 15' past the hole then only got it half way back on his 2nd putt. It was pretty funny (maybe not for him but it was for me). He pulled it together though and had his best 9 of league so far with a 47.
Erik struggled with his short game all day, definitely not the Erik we're used to seeing around the greens, and ended up with a 51.
14 putts ended up winning the fewest putt contest, which is the number I predicted would win. I wish we'd have a most putts contest, I know I can win that!
I've got to get back on the lawn tonight, it's way too long again after mowing a whole 4 days ago. Saturday morning we're playing the Oaks for the first time this year.
We leave for Disney World with my nephew a week from Saturday for a week of crowds and heat. Yay...
Beautiful night last night for golfing. To get in the mood I grabbed 2 beers and fired up a cigar before we hit the first tee. Even the cigar was burning perfectly.
Our flag events for the night were longest drive in the fairway on 1 and fewest putts. Well, I certainly am one of the longer hitters in the league so I should have a pretty good shot at that. I step up and wham! I crush one. Unfortunately, it starts out down the middle and has a draw to it and ends up about 10' into the left rough. As a consolation it was about 40 yards past the mark of the person who won. Oh well.
As for fewest putts... uh, anyone that knows me knows I will not be in that competition for long. I had 20 putts on my way to a 43. I 3 putted the 8th and 9th for bogies. I left 2 4-5' putts for pars short. I just couldn't hit the ball hard enough to get them to the hole. I'll blame it on Whistling Straits and their lightning quick greens.
Mike actually 4 putted the first hole as he overcompensated and rammed his first putt 15' past the hole then only got it half way back on his 2nd putt. It was pretty funny (maybe not for him but it was for me). He pulled it together though and had his best 9 of league so far with a 47.
Erik struggled with his short game all day, definitely not the Erik we're used to seeing around the greens, and ended up with a 51.
14 putts ended up winning the fewest putt contest, which is the number I predicted would win. I wish we'd have a most putts contest, I know I can win that!
I've got to get back on the lawn tonight, it's way too long again after mowing a whole 4 days ago. Saturday morning we're playing the Oaks for the first time this year.
We leave for Disney World with my nephew a week from Saturday for a week of crowds and heat. Yay...
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