Catching my eye in the gaming room at my first true sci-fi converntion, Capricon 2002, was a card game based on historical events where players needed to change history to match their character's timeline. It was called Chrononauts and I soon purchased a copy.
Over the years, I have purchased multiple games and game supplements from the makers of that game, Looney Labs. Andy and Kristin Looney found and operate the company and I have had the pleasure of seeing and talking to them at a couple of conventions where they were a guest of honor.
Their must popular game is a card game called Fluxx and over the years, there have been multiple versions of the game many based on movies and TV shows which they were able to make after getting licensing permission. I believe I now own six different versions among the two dozen plus that have been released over the years.
Recently, I was able to get a copy of Jumanji Fluxx at a game store which is the deluxe version of the game with 7 additional cards as opposed to chain store versions which only sells the basic version. I knew to get it at a game store since it was referenced in the monthly email I get from Looney Labs themselves.
When Looney Labe first produced games, they were only available in game stores as opposed to major retail outlets so it makes sense that the versions sold at game stores would have more for the same price. Other companies have done the same thing as well with their games.
Since Jumanji Fluxx has a game mechanic that applies once the deck needs to be reshuffled (unlike any the other versions), having 7 extra cards changes this version of the game more than any of the previous ones and when my daughter got the regular version of the game on Dec 25th from her mother, I explained that and showed her the website.
Today, I got an angry text message from her mother calling me a liar who then refused to look at the website I referenced. Reminds me of similar encounters with Trump supporters.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Thursday, December 5, 2019
An Alt-Right Christmas
About twenty years ago, I was at my parents house and the movie Holiday Inn was on TV so I was watching it with my father. I had no idea the movie was about a dinner theatre at a barn which only did performances on holidays but went along with the premise.
After the New Years Day show, I was surprised that the next holiday show was on Lincoln's Birthday. Since MLK was 13 in 1942, the third Monday in January was just another day and Presidents Day was not established until 1971, Lincoln's birthday was the next one chronologically but would have expected it to be skipped since Valentines Day was 2 days later.
There was a female singer with the cast who was moonlighting at the Holiday Inn and there was a problem since someone with her regular job was there on Lincoln's Birthday so they came up with a "solution" to do the performance but disguise her identity:
http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/sammondn/clips/holiday-inn-abraham-scene/view
This used to be on you tube but was taken down for obvious reasons. Knowing White Christmas was performed later in the movie, every time I would hear that song, I would parody it from the point of view of someone whose meaning of white based on what his character did earlier in the movie does not appear to be snow .
Following the unexpected results from the 2016 presidential election, many started marching celebrating that they were going to "Make America great again". The term Alt-right was coined to soften the description of those referenced as white extremists, fascists, and Nazis.
My parody of the song White Christmas changed based on that where in the first line the words "a white" was changed to "alt-right" and three years ago today I posted that to FB mentioning that if someone with more musical talent and ability wants to use that idea to go ahead.
The next day, multiple time Logan Award winner Chris Mezzolesta sent me a private FB message with complete lyrics to a montage of parodies from the "alt-right" perspective called "It's an Alt-Right Christmas." I was floored by how quickly this was done and with being referenced in the second line of the song.
A little over a week later, this video was created which mentions me in the credits:
https://youtu.be/WHrtn6EBn9k
I even saw this posted on Funny or Die.
After the New Years Day show, I was surprised that the next holiday show was on Lincoln's Birthday. Since MLK was 13 in 1942, the third Monday in January was just another day and Presidents Day was not established until 1971, Lincoln's birthday was the next one chronologically but would have expected it to be skipped since Valentines Day was 2 days later.
There was a female singer with the cast who was moonlighting at the Holiday Inn and there was a problem since someone with her regular job was there on Lincoln's Birthday so they came up with a "solution" to do the performance but disguise her identity:
http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/sammondn/clips/holiday-inn-abraham-scene/view
This used to be on you tube but was taken down for obvious reasons. Knowing White Christmas was performed later in the movie, every time I would hear that song, I would parody it from the point of view of someone whose meaning of white based on what his character did earlier in the movie does not appear to be snow .
Following the unexpected results from the 2016 presidential election, many started marching celebrating that they were going to "Make America great again". The term Alt-right was coined to soften the description of those referenced as white extremists, fascists, and Nazis.
My parody of the song White Christmas changed based on that where in the first line the words "a white" was changed to "alt-right" and three years ago today I posted that to FB mentioning that if someone with more musical talent and ability wants to use that idea to go ahead.
The next day, multiple time Logan Award winner Chris Mezzolesta sent me a private FB message with complete lyrics to a montage of parodies from the "alt-right" perspective called "It's an Alt-Right Christmas." I was floored by how quickly this was done and with being referenced in the second line of the song.
A little over a week later, this video was created which mentions me in the credits:
https://youtu.be/WHrtn6EBn9k
I even saw this posted on Funny or Die.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Not qualified
During the home stretch of the 2018 season, I realized that I was closing in on the 500 point mark which would qualify me for the 2019 Amateur Worlds and was able to reach it on a day my right knee barely allowed me to finish.
For 2019, the idea of getting to the 500 point mark was not part of the plan from the beginning as my trip to the Amateur Worlds was planned to be "last in a lifetime" and Orlando in late July 2020 does not seem too great. As I compare my results to 2018, I noticed the played schedule was similar:
Though MA3 played at the IOS Rockford event the same day, that division played one of the two rounds on a different course than MA50+ did and the scores can't be compared.
There was going to be a second chart showing the mathematical chance of me not winning an event in 2019 but made it invalid by winning my last event of the season which was the first ever win at a sold out tournament.
Other than playing bad from March through July, there are other reasons I had significantly fewer points than in 2018.
Fewer opponents in many events in 2019. (including the one I won).
Playing the major injured on courses that I was not familiar.
Playing all but one tournament in an age protected division.
I realized there are four possible ideas to get to the 500 point mark from 2020 to 2023 to qualify in MA55 for future worlds events and I want to post them here for future reference just in case.
The first thought is to get better. Duh. The question is how much can I reasonably expect? In an October event, those who were in my group were impressed by my putting from distances up to and including 50 feet. However, due to a bad stretch of six holes of the 36, my score was exactly what a person with my rating was expected to get.
Looking at every rated round in 2019 I figured out how many more points I would have earned had I been 2 shots better every round, which could be done with better health and smarter play. Including three second place results that would have become wins, two shots better per round in many events would have still only moved me up one position in the standings (including the major where I placed 53 out of 58) and with one additional event played after the original post, would have reached the 500 mark..
With 4 wins in five MA50+ events including one A tier and a B tier IOS event, the idea of having a game worthy of a second Am Worlds would become plausible especially being among the youngest in the MA55 division.
Play in large events out of the area. The closest ones would be the Bowling Green, KY event in April, the Masters in Columbia, MO in May, and the Peoria event in August all having an MA55 division where I would be among the youngest there. Any of those would require a multi day hotel stay and be expensive.
Play events in non age protected divisions. Points per player are the same in MA3 as in MA50 and MA55 and there are usually 3-4 times the players if not more as well as beginners. Most of my events had an MA3 division where I could compare my scores and I would have easily reached 500.
Though the concept of MA3 would work, playing a full schedule in MA3 would be more difficult personally as my opponents would be younger (including the 11 year old who won an MA3 event I was in by 6 shots beating me by 24) as well as being able to throw a disc much farther than I can.
Though tobacco, alcohol, and weed are used by players in age protected divisions, it is far more frequent and far less courteous in MA3 and with recreational weed becoming legal in Illinois in 2020, it might be worse. My last three events (2 B tier and one unrated) not in an age protected group, I have seen 3 very drunk players (including one who after withdrawing from the event mid-round belched, cracked open a beer, and told me he had a soft penis) and 8 using weed. Since the smell of weed gives me a headache, I ask that it is used when I am not downwind of them but I usually end up in the wrong spot at least once anyway. At my last event, I mentioned to someone my displeasure with others using weed there and was reminded that I am "playing disc golf".
I have been told by another player who treats disc golf as a sport more than I do that I should not allow any of it and report it to the TD. I don't want to be "that guy" but if I might have to be that guy if I want to qualify for a future worlds events.
Play more rated league rounds. Since many leagues are treated as MA1, I get 2.5 points for finishing and 2.5 for any rated player that does not beat me. Since league play is generally cheaper, this would be a more financially prudent way to earn points.
Since the reconfigured Masters Worlds will be in Peoria, IL in 2021, getting to 500 points to qualify for the event will be worth the time and effort especially since how the 2019 worlds went for me.
For 2019, the idea of getting to the 500 point mark was not part of the plan from the beginning as my trip to the Amateur Worlds was planned to be "last in a lifetime" and Orlando in late July 2020 does not seem too great. As I compare my results to 2018, I noticed the played schedule was similar:
Though MA3 played at the IOS Rockford event the same day, that division played one of the two rounds on a different course than MA50+ did and the scores can't be compared.
There was going to be a second chart showing the mathematical chance of me not winning an event in 2019 but made it invalid by winning my last event of the season which was the first ever win at a sold out tournament.
Other than playing bad from March through July, there are other reasons I had significantly fewer points than in 2018.
Fewer opponents in many events in 2019. (including the one I won).
Playing the major injured on courses that I was not familiar.
Playing all but one tournament in an age protected division.
I realized there are four possible ideas to get to the 500 point mark from 2020 to 2023 to qualify in MA55 for future worlds events and I want to post them here for future reference just in case.
The first thought is to get better. Duh. The question is how much can I reasonably expect? In an October event, those who were in my group were impressed by my putting from distances up to and including 50 feet. However, due to a bad stretch of six holes of the 36, my score was exactly what a person with my rating was expected to get.
Looking at every rated round in 2019 I figured out how many more points I would have earned had I been 2 shots better every round, which could be done with better health and smarter play. Including three second place results that would have become wins, two shots better per round in many events would have still only moved me up one position in the standings (including the major where I placed 53 out of 58) and with one additional event played after the original post, would have reached the 500 mark..
With 4 wins in five MA50+ events including one A tier and a B tier IOS event, the idea of having a game worthy of a second Am Worlds would become plausible especially being among the youngest in the MA55 division.
Play in large events out of the area. The closest ones would be the Bowling Green, KY event in April, the Masters in Columbia, MO in May, and the Peoria event in August all having an MA55 division where I would be among the youngest there. Any of those would require a multi day hotel stay and be expensive.
Play events in non age protected divisions. Points per player are the same in MA3 as in MA50 and MA55 and there are usually 3-4 times the players if not more as well as beginners. Most of my events had an MA3 division where I could compare my scores and I would have easily reached 500.
Though the concept of MA3 would work, playing a full schedule in MA3 would be more difficult personally as my opponents would be younger (including the 11 year old who won an MA3 event I was in by 6 shots beating me by 24) as well as being able to throw a disc much farther than I can.
Though tobacco, alcohol, and weed are used by players in age protected divisions, it is far more frequent and far less courteous in MA3 and with recreational weed becoming legal in Illinois in 2020, it might be worse. My last three events (2 B tier and one unrated) not in an age protected group, I have seen 3 very drunk players (including one who after withdrawing from the event mid-round belched, cracked open a beer, and told me he had a soft penis) and 8 using weed. Since the smell of weed gives me a headache, I ask that it is used when I am not downwind of them but I usually end up in the wrong spot at least once anyway. At my last event, I mentioned to someone my displeasure with others using weed there and was reminded that I am "playing disc golf".
I have been told by another player who treats disc golf as a sport more than I do that I should not allow any of it and report it to the TD. I don't want to be "that guy" but if I might have to be that guy if I want to qualify for a future worlds events.
Play more rated league rounds. Since many leagues are treated as MA1, I get 2.5 points for finishing and 2.5 for any rated player that does not beat me. Since league play is generally cheaper, this would be a more financially prudent way to earn points.
Since the reconfigured Masters Worlds will be in Peoria, IL in 2021, getting to 500 points to qualify for the event will be worth the time and effort especially since how the 2019 worlds went for me.
Monday, November 25, 2019
The madman fixes the world of sports (part 5)
It has been 9 years since I made an entry in this aspect but I feel this one needs to be addressed as it is a problem with the three most popular professional sports in the US. That is tanking.
The same way that a person who wants to jump high needs to bend the knees and get low, it has become common for non contending teams to trade all of its decent players and stock up for the future with the hope of being a viable contender for a title in 3-5 years. When the Miami Dolphins did that before the 2019 season started and then had to face four teams in September that went 43-21 in 2018, the results became comical and people started thinking that NCAA or high school teams could beat them.
(After the bye the Dolphins have been competitive including a one point loss when they went for two with seconds left to go in the game while covering five straight and after winning their previous two are in third place in their division. Other teams that had Super Bowl aspirations when the season began and do not have 13 draft picks in 2020 including 5 in the first two rounds and have not won more games than they lost through the end of November are generally worse off.
There are two solutions that I see to remedy this. The first one is used in soccer leagues in Mexico and throughout Europe and that is relegation. However, that only works when there are multiple leagues for teams to be relegated and promoted and even if that was created in the US, allowing relegation would be changing the culture and that would not work. Granted in the English Premier League, 23 of the last 24 champions have been won by one of two teams from Manchester (United and City) or one of two teams from London (Arsenal and Chelsea) so maybe that is not the greatest idea for what works in the US.
What I am proposing is setting a minimum league standard based on wins. In the NFL, that would be 4. A team that goes 3-13 or worse should be penalized and this is how I would do it:
Slide teams that do not meet the minimum standard down the draft as such (order is based on wins by team):
Round 1: 4,3,5,2,6,1,7,0,8+
Round 2: 3,2,4,1,5,0,6+
Round 3: 2,1,3,0,4+
Round 4: 1,0, 2+
Round 5: as normal
This would make games among the bottom feeding teams far more interesting as it would create a desire to win by rewarding teams for winning as opposed to losing. This would also hurt teams that tank in the future.
A similar strategy could apply to the other three main sports in the US.
The same way that a person who wants to jump high needs to bend the knees and get low, it has become common for non contending teams to trade all of its decent players and stock up for the future with the hope of being a viable contender for a title in 3-5 years. When the Miami Dolphins did that before the 2019 season started and then had to face four teams in September that went 43-21 in 2018, the results became comical and people started thinking that NCAA or high school teams could beat them.
(After the bye the Dolphins have been competitive including a one point loss when they went for two with seconds left to go in the game while covering five straight and after winning their previous two are in third place in their division. Other teams that had Super Bowl aspirations when the season began and do not have 13 draft picks in 2020 including 5 in the first two rounds and have not won more games than they lost through the end of November are generally worse off.
There are two solutions that I see to remedy this. The first one is used in soccer leagues in Mexico and throughout Europe and that is relegation. However, that only works when there are multiple leagues for teams to be relegated and promoted and even if that was created in the US, allowing relegation would be changing the culture and that would not work. Granted in the English Premier League, 23 of the last 24 champions have been won by one of two teams from Manchester (United and City) or one of two teams from London (Arsenal and Chelsea) so maybe that is not the greatest idea for what works in the US.
What I am proposing is setting a minimum league standard based on wins. In the NFL, that would be 4. A team that goes 3-13 or worse should be penalized and this is how I would do it:
Slide teams that do not meet the minimum standard down the draft as such (order is based on wins by team):
Round 1: 4,3,5,2,6,1,7,0,8+
Round 2: 3,2,4,1,5,0,6+
Round 3: 2,1,3,0,4+
Round 4: 1,0, 2+
Round 5: as normal
This would make games among the bottom feeding teams far more interesting as it would create a desire to win by rewarding teams for winning as opposed to losing. This would also hurt teams that tank in the future.
A similar strategy could apply to the other three main sports in the US.
Friday, October 18, 2019
A choice was made
I had to decide to play in one of two events in Indiana and there were things both good and bad in each event and with the entry deadline looming, chose to play in the closer event in the same time zone even though there is not an age protected division that I would be competitive. However, there are a couple of 50+ players who will be in my division including the one who while having the same rating at an event in June shot the exact same score for both rounds as I did.
As I looked at the 14 player MA50+ division for the other event this morning (including the person who beat me in a playoff in 2016 and the person who won MA50+ at an event I finished third last year,) I saw a recently registered player who could have changed my mind.
A top FP50+ pro in the area is playing in the MA50+ division. She has played in multiple MA events in different divisions and only plays FP50+ in elite ones. Her rating is very similar to mine and I would have wanted to see first hand how she plays the game and how "Candace" would do against her.
There is a Chicago area 8 time major champion FP50+ player and in the events where we both play including the one on Oct 27, her scores are usually better than mine but I rarely get a chance to see her play as we are usually far from each other on the course.
I then remembered playing little league in 1978 on the mound against a female batter. Compared to others who pitched, I was not that good and only took the mound when the game was out of hand but was able to strike her out and said something along the line that she should not be in the league which coaches and parents were not happy to hear.
I then realized maybe that is likely why the next time I was at the plate the first pitch hit me. Never thought of that in the 41 years since it happened.
As I looked at the 14 player MA50+ division for the other event this morning (including the person who beat me in a playoff in 2016 and the person who won MA50+ at an event I finished third last year,) I saw a recently registered player who could have changed my mind.
A top FP50+ pro in the area is playing in the MA50+ division. She has played in multiple MA events in different divisions and only plays FP50+ in elite ones. Her rating is very similar to mine and I would have wanted to see first hand how she plays the game and how "Candace" would do against her.
There is a Chicago area 8 time major champion FP50+ player and in the events where we both play including the one on Oct 27, her scores are usually better than mine but I rarely get a chance to see her play as we are usually far from each other on the course.
I then remembered playing little league in 1978 on the mound against a female batter. Compared to others who pitched, I was not that good and only took the mound when the game was out of hand but was able to strike her out and said something along the line that she should not be in the league which coaches and parents were not happy to hear.
I then realized maybe that is likely why the next time I was at the plate the first pitch hit me. Never thought of that in the 41 years since it happened.
Friday, October 4, 2019
The price of Joy
I am sore, tired, and completely defeated. I really wished the 2018 version of me that qualified for this event was here this week and not the broken down fraud that is currently wearing a sweaty shirt with my last name on it...
This was posted to Facebook from the parking lot of Boulder Woods Disc Golf Course in Wellsville, PA after I finished my sixth and final round of the PDGA Amateur Worlds on July 26th. Five and a half days prior to this post, my attitude was different.
Though my right knee popped out of place in my sleep 48 hours previously, I was on my way to my "last of a lifetime trip" to the 2019 Disc Golf Amateur World Championship in York, PA.
The drive there was the most anticipated thing and due to Spotify. I had my tablet loaded with hours of music that has shaped my life and every time a song played, an awesome memory was rekindled. Multiple times on the trip my voice cracked being unable to sing along due to how emotionally powerful it was to me.
While delivering food in June with METV FM playing they mentioned a song that you may have missed before. Joy by Apollo 100. All of a sudden, I remember the awesome instrumental which I have likely not heard in decades. (I know it is based on a classical piece but this version is the one I enjoy.)
There was a special set list for my trip. It had the songs I played at the start of the trip and Joy. When I was about to get to Coyote Hills (the furthest west course of those used for the event) to get some practice, I turned on that song and it was rolling through my head the rest of the day.
The next morning, I had to head to tournament central to check in and just before I got there once again played Joy and the tune was running through my head as I got my swag for the event.
I knew going in the highlight was everything before playing and it exceeded expectations. The staff there congratulated me for being there and while wearing a shirt with a drawing of me on it, had a huge smile on my face knowing all I went through to get to this point especially after having to give it up four years previously due to a lie.
After getting a bag of small items (including a tick extractor which I actually needed the next day), multiple hats, discs, and shirts, I had one more line. The person asked my name and division and stated box #15. I then realized what was in the boxes.
The staff person sorted through the lime green shirts with the tournament logo and sponsors on it and found the one with my name and player number on it. For some reason I was expecting it to be missing or spelled wrong but it was correct. After barely being able to choke out "thank you" I rushed through the pro shop that players had to pass to exit to get to the car.
I had always thought the phrase "tears of joy" made no sense but it took over five minutes for me to compose myself to the point where I can drive a car to one of the courses to practice.
At a college auditorium that evening, I got my player badge with my name and had to post a picture of it immediately after sending grateful messages to many who helped me get there.
The next morning was round one. Joy was still running through my head after playing it just before I got to the course among the first there. It was still running through my head as I was energized at the start making multiple long putts to keep things going well.
On my twelfth hole, reality hit hard. The body said no and the next six holes featured shots I have never missed so badly before including one where while trying to stretch around a tree, the disc stayed in my hand instead of releasing and dropped six inches in front of me on the follow through.
The last 97 holes over those four days were not all bad and I actually hugged the 7 baskets I managed to get a birdie but it was mostly ugly play featuring moments when I had no idea where to aim not knowing where my disc was going to go. Between my talent gap to elite players and my leg, my 108 hole score was 101 worse than the person in first.
Through the frustration on the course and the pain off it which after the last three rounds kicked in on the walk back to turn in my scores as the adrenaline from the round subsided, the "Joy" I tried to keep in my head faded.
After making the FB post mentioned at the beginning, I changed out of my gear and started to head west. The plan was to drive until I was tired and then find a hotel for the night. After passing through four mountains, I came to a turnpike rest area to pee and get something to eat.
Though gimpy, I decided to not use the crutches I brought and hobbled into the building. After three paces inside, both legs seized up and if there was not a chair close by, I likely would have gone down. There were tears but they were not of joy. People asked if they should call an ambulance.
Eventually, I made it to the bathroom where I noticed my face was bright red and then got some food. I decided to get a hotel sooner rather than later and this time used my crutches to help me. The hotel staff was able to get me a handicap room due to the difficulty I had walking.
In spite of the pain medication I was taking, the idea of sleep seemed remote as it was not working at all. I needed all my energy to get out of bed to pee and after plopping on the bed, felt that I was done.
I did not want to return to reality. I did not want to deal with life anymore and most of all, I wanted the pain to go away. Then I realized there is enough pain medication my bag to accomplish those things.
I did not want to call anyone knowing that the response I get could influence my decision and not in the way most would normally think as my decision to continue needed to be mine and mine alone. I also did not want to worry anyone while I was three states away from home or have someone rush to my hotel room to "save me from myself".
Though tempted, I was so drained and the bag seemed so far away, eventually I did fall asleep. The next morning, my legs were somewhat functional and I managed to hide my discomfort at a family gathering on Saturday before returning home on Sunday afternoon. Once I got home, I could not stay awake for more than an hour until Tuesday morning. When others mentioned the Chicago area Weird Al concert from that Sunday which I missed, I realized ahead of time that I would unlikely be physically up for attending.
It took a couple stressful weeks to get back to normal thinking and though I remember the Joy experienced on the trip, I will never forget the price paid for it.
This was posted to Facebook from the parking lot of Boulder Woods Disc Golf Course in Wellsville, PA after I finished my sixth and final round of the PDGA Amateur Worlds on July 26th. Five and a half days prior to this post, my attitude was different.
Though my right knee popped out of place in my sleep 48 hours previously, I was on my way to my "last of a lifetime trip" to the 2019 Disc Golf Amateur World Championship in York, PA.
The drive there was the most anticipated thing and due to Spotify. I had my tablet loaded with hours of music that has shaped my life and every time a song played, an awesome memory was rekindled. Multiple times on the trip my voice cracked being unable to sing along due to how emotionally powerful it was to me.
While delivering food in June with METV FM playing they mentioned a song that you may have missed before. Joy by Apollo 100. All of a sudden, I remember the awesome instrumental which I have likely not heard in decades. (I know it is based on a classical piece but this version is the one I enjoy.)
There was a special set list for my trip. It had the songs I played at the start of the trip and Joy. When I was about to get to Coyote Hills (the furthest west course of those used for the event) to get some practice, I turned on that song and it was rolling through my head the rest of the day.
The next morning, I had to head to tournament central to check in and just before I got there once again played Joy and the tune was running through my head as I got my swag for the event.
I knew going in the highlight was everything before playing and it exceeded expectations. The staff there congratulated me for being there and while wearing a shirt with a drawing of me on it, had a huge smile on my face knowing all I went through to get to this point especially after having to give it up four years previously due to a lie.
After getting a bag of small items (including a tick extractor which I actually needed the next day), multiple hats, discs, and shirts, I had one more line. The person asked my name and division and stated box #15. I then realized what was in the boxes.
The staff person sorted through the lime green shirts with the tournament logo and sponsors on it and found the one with my name and player number on it. For some reason I was expecting it to be missing or spelled wrong but it was correct. After barely being able to choke out "thank you" I rushed through the pro shop that players had to pass to exit to get to the car.
I had always thought the phrase "tears of joy" made no sense but it took over five minutes for me to compose myself to the point where I can drive a car to one of the courses to practice.
At a college auditorium that evening, I got my player badge with my name and had to post a picture of it immediately after sending grateful messages to many who helped me get there.
The next morning was round one. Joy was still running through my head after playing it just before I got to the course among the first there. It was still running through my head as I was energized at the start making multiple long putts to keep things going well.
On my twelfth hole, reality hit hard. The body said no and the next six holes featured shots I have never missed so badly before including one where while trying to stretch around a tree, the disc stayed in my hand instead of releasing and dropped six inches in front of me on the follow through.
The last 97 holes over those four days were not all bad and I actually hugged the 7 baskets I managed to get a birdie but it was mostly ugly play featuring moments when I had no idea where to aim not knowing where my disc was going to go. Between my talent gap to elite players and my leg, my 108 hole score was 101 worse than the person in first.
Through the frustration on the course and the pain off it which after the last three rounds kicked in on the walk back to turn in my scores as the adrenaline from the round subsided, the "Joy" I tried to keep in my head faded.
After making the FB post mentioned at the beginning, I changed out of my gear and started to head west. The plan was to drive until I was tired and then find a hotel for the night. After passing through four mountains, I came to a turnpike rest area to pee and get something to eat.
Though gimpy, I decided to not use the crutches I brought and hobbled into the building. After three paces inside, both legs seized up and if there was not a chair close by, I likely would have gone down. There were tears but they were not of joy. People asked if they should call an ambulance.
Eventually, I made it to the bathroom where I noticed my face was bright red and then got some food. I decided to get a hotel sooner rather than later and this time used my crutches to help me. The hotel staff was able to get me a handicap room due to the difficulty I had walking.
In spite of the pain medication I was taking, the idea of sleep seemed remote as it was not working at all. I needed all my energy to get out of bed to pee and after plopping on the bed, felt that I was done.
I did not want to return to reality. I did not want to deal with life anymore and most of all, I wanted the pain to go away. Then I realized there is enough pain medication my bag to accomplish those things.
I did not want to call anyone knowing that the response I get could influence my decision and not in the way most would normally think as my decision to continue needed to be mine and mine alone. I also did not want to worry anyone while I was three states away from home or have someone rush to my hotel room to "save me from myself".
Though tempted, I was so drained and the bag seemed so far away, eventually I did fall asleep. The next morning, my legs were somewhat functional and I managed to hide my discomfort at a family gathering on Saturday before returning home on Sunday afternoon. Once I got home, I could not stay awake for more than an hour until Tuesday morning. When others mentioned the Chicago area Weird Al concert from that Sunday which I missed, I realized ahead of time that I would unlikely be physically up for attending.
It took a couple stressful weeks to get back to normal thinking and though I remember the Joy experienced on the trip, I will never forget the price paid for it.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
24 hours of really little change
On Sep 25th, I had to get multiple trailers received and put away since I knew I had to leave at 1130 sharp to head to court over an hour away.
Since I was travelling from work and not home, I used GPS which took me on a route which I soon recognized as the one I take to Dellwood Park which I passed 8 minutes from the courthouse and three minutes later passed the Old Joliet Prison. (Which explains why Dellwood hosts a fall event inside there.)
Unlike the morning session I attended earlier in the month, there was no line at the metal detector so I was inside 30 minutes early somewhat confused as my document stated to head to the payment location. Soon, someone from another case and I found out what actual court room was being used and went there to check in.
I was disappointed when the judge entered the room as the other party in my case had yet to arrive and didn't until about five minutes into the session. That allowed me to see the previous cases in which all there (but one lawyer) were wearing a t shirt with writing on it as opposed to the regular collared shirt I sported. All previous cases had a child involved and needed parenting classes so having one that's 19 was a help.
Due to the improper and incomplete paperwork involved, it took a little longer than anticipated but the divorce was made official and since not much was joined 20 years ago and much of what was is no longer joined, there was not much to separate. We agreed if something belonging to the other is found to contact the other party which is fair.
After sending a group text and calling my mom, 20 minutes later I was on the tee of #13 at Dellwood making a subtle FB post about the situation similar to the FB post last month where I made a subtle reference of getting laid at the PDGA Worlds in July. (Since the bathroom and pro shop where I got water were next to #13, that is where I started like some players do and anyway, that is more appropriate for me.)
I really wanted to birdie #13 just like I birdied my last hole as a married man. I threw the disc as intended but being off by one disc it turned over too much and after making it through the brush short right, ended up about 30 feet long about 10 feet below the basket. It was physically difficult for me to get to the disc and my approach hit the pole under the cage (and stayed there.) At least, I birdied #14.
When I have not played a course for a while, I will forget things that are not hole specific like the fact that there is a lot of downhill and uphill walking at Dellwood even when not needing to do down a hill to where a shot ended up. I was fortunate that the three put in the river (one slightly off shot, one back kick, one bad shot) did not wash away. After my 11th out of 20 (13-18, 1-6, 6a, 6e, 7-12) the legs were done and the last couple full shots showed.
My initial plans were to find a buffet after but my sister wanted to meet me for a celebration dinner and she suggested the Outback about halfway between where we were. I had not been to the building since it was converted from a Cheeseburger in Paradise and had not been to an Outback since I was "happily married" well over a decade ago.
Possibly influenced by the half plus glass of Miller Lite (in a FB picture many liked) "to celebrate", by the time I was done with the meal, I was ready to sleep. Getting up off the chair was almost embarrassingly difficult. I made it home, found out the water was still out from construction, and fell asleep before 9. Woke at one, confirmed the water was back, set my alarm, and went to bed.
I wanted to get to work early but only managed to get there on time. Fortunately things were not as bad as it could be and after deciding that a weekly thing usually done on a Thursday can be done the day after, the day has gone well though my legs are tired. Those here who have seen the effects my situation has put me through over the last couple decades congratulated me. It is more a relief than anything.
Multiple people have asked me about meeting someone else. Though instincts have kicked in on occasion, my brain eventually responds with "WHAT THE **** ARE YOU THINKING?"
Since I was travelling from work and not home, I used GPS which took me on a route which I soon recognized as the one I take to Dellwood Park which I passed 8 minutes from the courthouse and three minutes later passed the Old Joliet Prison. (Which explains why Dellwood hosts a fall event inside there.)
Unlike the morning session I attended earlier in the month, there was no line at the metal detector so I was inside 30 minutes early somewhat confused as my document stated to head to the payment location. Soon, someone from another case and I found out what actual court room was being used and went there to check in.
I was disappointed when the judge entered the room as the other party in my case had yet to arrive and didn't until about five minutes into the session. That allowed me to see the previous cases in which all there (but one lawyer) were wearing a t shirt with writing on it as opposed to the regular collared shirt I sported. All previous cases had a child involved and needed parenting classes so having one that's 19 was a help.
Due to the improper and incomplete paperwork involved, it took a little longer than anticipated but the divorce was made official and since not much was joined 20 years ago and much of what was is no longer joined, there was not much to separate. We agreed if something belonging to the other is found to contact the other party which is fair.
After sending a group text and calling my mom, 20 minutes later I was on the tee of #13 at Dellwood making a subtle FB post about the situation similar to the FB post last month where I made a subtle reference of getting laid at the PDGA Worlds in July. (Since the bathroom and pro shop where I got water were next to #13, that is where I started like some players do and anyway, that is more appropriate for me.)
I really wanted to birdie #13 just like I birdied my last hole as a married man. I threw the disc as intended but being off by one disc it turned over too much and after making it through the brush short right, ended up about 30 feet long about 10 feet below the basket. It was physically difficult for me to get to the disc and my approach hit the pole under the cage (and stayed there.) At least, I birdied #14.
When I have not played a course for a while, I will forget things that are not hole specific like the fact that there is a lot of downhill and uphill walking at Dellwood even when not needing to do down a hill to where a shot ended up. I was fortunate that the three put in the river (one slightly off shot, one back kick, one bad shot) did not wash away. After my 11th out of 20 (13-18, 1-6, 6a, 6e, 7-12) the legs were done and the last couple full shots showed.
My initial plans were to find a buffet after but my sister wanted to meet me for a celebration dinner and she suggested the Outback about halfway between where we were. I had not been to the building since it was converted from a Cheeseburger in Paradise and had not been to an Outback since I was "happily married" well over a decade ago.
Possibly influenced by the half plus glass of Miller Lite (in a FB picture many liked) "to celebrate", by the time I was done with the meal, I was ready to sleep. Getting up off the chair was almost embarrassingly difficult. I made it home, found out the water was still out from construction, and fell asleep before 9. Woke at one, confirmed the water was back, set my alarm, and went to bed.
I wanted to get to work early but only managed to get there on time. Fortunately things were not as bad as it could be and after deciding that a weekly thing usually done on a Thursday can be done the day after, the day has gone well though my legs are tired. Those here who have seen the effects my situation has put me through over the last couple decades congratulated me. It is more a relief than anything.
Multiple people have asked me about meeting someone else. Though instincts have kicked in on occasion, my brain eventually responds with "WHAT THE **** ARE YOU THINKING?"
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
I - Zero - S
Having run Scrabble tournaments, I appreciate the work required to run disc golf events and occasionally end up helping before, during, or after.
For me, the best area events are the Illinois Open Series (IOS). Mike Krupicka, the PDGA head of Illinois, is the one in charge and treats the events like a sports competition as opposed to a hangout and there are things done at an IOS event that are not at any other which I appreciate. This year, having played in three of the four events, I got a poster displaying the artwork used for the trophies.
I can even go to their site shortly after an event (including the most recent one which had 180 players on three courses) and see a hole by hole score by all players there from pros to a nine year old whom I only beat by twelve total shots in August.
My only issue with their events is the same one that often happens and that is inability to play to my expectations most of the time.
The September 22 event (the 99th in the series) was my 22nd in the IOS and since I have figured out the mathematical odds of sports teams, cities, and Canada from failing to win a title, it is appropriate to do the same for my failure:
So why have within 22 events, I have only two seconds and one third? In many of the events, I was overmatched (defined by me as playing against at least one person whose rating would be expected to finish at least ten shots better). Before I was officially diagnosed and treated for arthritis, I would choose to play in MA3 rather than MA4 since MA3 was on a Sunday which would give me one day off before the event. I do admit in one event I should have played in MA4 as all divisions played on that Sunday.
Even though I am better than I was in the middle of the decade, the top local players in the MA50 division are still significantly better than me and it would take having a lot of things go my way like it did in September to even think about winning. In a non IOS event in 2019, my best lifetime combined two round rating still ended up one shot out of first against a top local player.
In the IOS events, there was only one time of the 44 rounds played where I had the best score in the division but on that day in the second round, a more experienced player on the more difficult version of the course made up the gap in three holes and pulled away for a comfortable win. In the event I finished second by one shot, my rounds were the 3rd and 2nd best of those in MA50 and within the first 21 events, the closest I came to winning was 5 shots and there were two events I lost by more than 30.
There is optimism for 2020 and beyond as long as my body stays viable as physical issues were a big part of the poor first half of my 2019 season. However, I know anything can happen at any time physically to me including while asleep.
For me, the best area events are the Illinois Open Series (IOS). Mike Krupicka, the PDGA head of Illinois, is the one in charge and treats the events like a sports competition as opposed to a hangout and there are things done at an IOS event that are not at any other which I appreciate. This year, having played in three of the four events, I got a poster displaying the artwork used for the trophies.
I can even go to their site shortly after an event (including the most recent one which had 180 players on three courses) and see a hole by hole score by all players there from pros to a nine year old whom I only beat by twelve total shots in August.
My only issue with their events is the same one that often happens and that is inability to play to my expectations most of the time.
The September 22 event (the 99th in the series) was my 22nd in the IOS and since I have figured out the mathematical odds of sports teams, cities, and Canada from failing to win a title, it is appropriate to do the same for my failure:
So why have within 22 events, I have only two seconds and one third? In many of the events, I was overmatched (defined by me as playing against at least one person whose rating would be expected to finish at least ten shots better). Before I was officially diagnosed and treated for arthritis, I would choose to play in MA3 rather than MA4 since MA3 was on a Sunday which would give me one day off before the event. I do admit in one event I should have played in MA4 as all divisions played on that Sunday.
Even though I am better than I was in the middle of the decade, the top local players in the MA50 division are still significantly better than me and it would take having a lot of things go my way like it did in September to even think about winning. In a non IOS event in 2019, my best lifetime combined two round rating still ended up one shot out of first against a top local player.
In the IOS events, there was only one time of the 44 rounds played where I had the best score in the division but on that day in the second round, a more experienced player on the more difficult version of the course made up the gap in three holes and pulled away for a comfortable win. In the event I finished second by one shot, my rounds were the 3rd and 2nd best of those in MA50 and within the first 21 events, the closest I came to winning was 5 shots and there were two events I lost by more than 30.
There is optimism for 2020 and beyond as long as my body stays viable as physical issues were a big part of the poor first half of my 2019 season. However, I know anything can happen at any time physically to me including while asleep.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Making the highly improbable happen (almost)
The phrase "highly improbable" was used by Douglas Adams in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series of books and though that term is likely designed for things like being struck by lightning or winning the lottery, I like using that term to describe things in my life even if not in the original intent..
There was good reason to not be optimistic about winning the Illinois Open Series 2019 closing event in Rockford for multiple reasons. There were two elite players who registered for my event and of the other 10 rated players, I was 8th and one of the two unrated players finished higher than me at the previous IOS event in Oswego 4 weeks prior. If there was gambling, I would have made myself 50-1 to win.
My goal was to possibly finish in the top half of the field and collect a small amount of merchandise credit. What actually happened was that another player on the last hole had to make a 15 foot putt to beat me by one shot for first. How did this happen?
Problems at the top. Two players who were registered chose not to play including the second highest rated one. The top two remaining players, including the highest rated one in the state were in a group that failed twice in its first 5 holes to play to the correct basket (other groups in our pool made a similar error) of the two that most holes on the course use. There is a two shot penalty for each violation and both of them eventually withdrew from the event. The UDisc app (which I now use after making multiple adding errors this year) had course layouts for the event per pool so I could look at my phone and know which basket and tee pad to use to make sure we were correct.
The courses design. The two Anna Page park courses played by the MA50 group were mostly beyond the range of the players in the division first shots making birdies difficult to get and putting a premium on approach shots. The player who won did not get one in 36. My three came on a 40 foot putt, throwing a drive as hard as I can to reach a basket, and putting one in from over 100 feet.
The weather. No doubt the 2-3 inches of rain that fell in the 24 hours including during most of the event were a factor. Having dry skin, a slow walkup to my drive, and not having much a preshot routine made the rain less a factor for me than other players. I don't think it is a coincidence that the other player who usually chooses a disc and immediately throws won the division.
(In an event two months later where a cold, windy drizzle was falling all during the event, I won the MA50+ division by six shots that equaled the score posted by the MP50+ winner who is an eight time major champion in female events so apparently bad weather hurts my game less than most.)
Also, I prepared for the weather. I had plenty of towels with me to use and still had a dry one left while other players did not have one. I also wore for the first time rain gear which helped keep my arm and back warm as well as using my old pair of non slip work shoes which prevented me from slipping on wet tee pads even after walking through the mud that was present in round two.
There was good reason to not be optimistic about winning the Illinois Open Series 2019 closing event in Rockford for multiple reasons. There were two elite players who registered for my event and of the other 10 rated players, I was 8th and one of the two unrated players finished higher than me at the previous IOS event in Oswego 4 weeks prior. If there was gambling, I would have made myself 50-1 to win.
My goal was to possibly finish in the top half of the field and collect a small amount of merchandise credit. What actually happened was that another player on the last hole had to make a 15 foot putt to beat me by one shot for first. How did this happen?
Problems at the top. Two players who were registered chose not to play including the second highest rated one. The top two remaining players, including the highest rated one in the state were in a group that failed twice in its first 5 holes to play to the correct basket (other groups in our pool made a similar error) of the two that most holes on the course use. There is a two shot penalty for each violation and both of them eventually withdrew from the event. The UDisc app (which I now use after making multiple adding errors this year) had course layouts for the event per pool so I could look at my phone and know which basket and tee pad to use to make sure we were correct.
The courses design. The two Anna Page park courses played by the MA50 group were mostly beyond the range of the players in the division first shots making birdies difficult to get and putting a premium on approach shots. The player who won did not get one in 36. My three came on a 40 foot putt, throwing a drive as hard as I can to reach a basket, and putting one in from over 100 feet.
The weather. No doubt the 2-3 inches of rain that fell in the 24 hours including during most of the event were a factor. Having dry skin, a slow walkup to my drive, and not having much a preshot routine made the rain less a factor for me than other players. I don't think it is a coincidence that the other player who usually chooses a disc and immediately throws won the division.
(In an event two months later where a cold, windy drizzle was falling all during the event, I won the MA50+ division by six shots that equaled the score posted by the MP50+ winner who is an eight time major champion in female events so apparently bad weather hurts my game less than most.)
Also, I prepared for the weather. I had plenty of towels with me to use and still had a dry one left while other players did not have one. I also wore for the first time rain gear which helped keep my arm and back warm as well as using my old pair of non slip work shoes which prevented me from slipping on wet tee pads even after walking through the mud that was present in round two.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Too many special shirts
As I looked for a specific shirt to wear tomorrow, I realize how many I have just for specific situations and not just expected ones like the WKRP Turkey drop shirt or the Die Hard December sweater.
FuMPFeST and Marscon Dementia track shirts are worn when there.
Grumpy t shirt - Got it for a team trivia contest where we were Snow White characters. I wear it many work Fridays since that is my least favorite day to work as my happy Fridays are ones I am not working.
Charlie Brown wearing Jason mask with Lucy's dead body behind her stand - Got is as a present. I wear it on Friday the 13th.
Charlie Brown kicking Lucy's head off - Bought it on line. Would wear it for either fantasy football league draft or a party for the NFL league championship game. I don't play fantasy leagues anymore and now watch the game alone so I can fast forward past commercials and singing since it is only a game and that is all I want to watch.
Integral calculus shirt - Saw it at a con, did the math, realized answer is 69, and asked how much it costs. Wear it on June 9th and will wear to see Bill and Ted 3.
Marscon bus shirt - Got it to wear when I would drive people to Marscon. Since my "Christmas" has evolved into playing a disc golf major event, I now wear it on my trip there.
Madman on the loose shirt - Got it to wear at Marscon party as shown in my profile pic. I now wear it when I check into a disc golf major event as the PDGA chose the image for my player profile page.
Hail Sagan - Purchased it on line. I wear this on Nov 9 and Dec 20 in honor of the astrophysicist birth and death dates.
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame shirt - My sister got it for me when she was in Canton, OH. I wear it on December 25 as it depicts someone actually born on that day. I would also wear it after the team wins a game in a special situation which seems unlikely this year.
I want Tile - Got it because it is the tag line of a group of sketches. I now only wear it on September 21 as that is what I was wearing when my father died.
FuMPFeST and Marscon Dementia track shirts are worn when there.
Grumpy t shirt - Got it for a team trivia contest where we were Snow White characters. I wear it many work Fridays since that is my least favorite day to work as my happy Fridays are ones I am not working.
Charlie Brown wearing Jason mask with Lucy's dead body behind her stand - Got is as a present. I wear it on Friday the 13th.
Charlie Brown kicking Lucy's head off - Bought it on line. Would wear it for either fantasy football league draft or a party for the NFL league championship game. I don't play fantasy leagues anymore and now watch the game alone so I can fast forward past commercials and singing since it is only a game and that is all I want to watch.
Integral calculus shirt - Saw it at a con, did the math, realized answer is 69, and asked how much it costs. Wear it on June 9th and will wear to see Bill and Ted 3.
Marscon bus shirt - Got it to wear when I would drive people to Marscon. Since my "Christmas" has evolved into playing a disc golf major event, I now wear it on my trip there.
Madman on the loose shirt - Got it to wear at Marscon party as shown in my profile pic. I now wear it when I check into a disc golf major event as the PDGA chose the image for my player profile page.
Hail Sagan - Purchased it on line. I wear this on Nov 9 and Dec 20 in honor of the astrophysicist birth and death dates.
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame shirt - My sister got it for me when she was in Canton, OH. I wear it on December 25 as it depicts someone actually born on that day. I would also wear it after the team wins a game in a special situation which seems unlikely this year.
I want Tile - Got it because it is the tag line of a group of sketches. I now only wear it on September 21 as that is what I was wearing when my father died.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Six have died
According to reports a sixth person, a woman in her 50s, has died due to exposure from using vaping products. To me it is not surprising that inhaling vaporized juice can cause damage to lungs the same way that tobacco smoke can.
What is surprising is that the government is promising swift action to "protect its citizens" from this product. I then started to wonder in what timeframe do six Americans die from ...
• being unable to take necessary medicine to keep alive due to the high cost of the product?
• not getting vaccinated for a disease due to unfounded fears of the product?
• accidents created by someone who is intoxicated or buzzed?
• motorists that ignore construction or police on the side of the road?
• disease caused by poor living conditions such as toxic water?
• not having a roof over their head or enough food to eat?
• a law enforcement officer who made a decision to act that was influenced by the color of someone's skin?
• being overseas wearing a military uniform in a war which those who started it have been long dead?
• suicide after being unable to cope with life following military service?
• suicide after being traumatized by others because of what they are?
• attacks because of what they are?
And ... How quickly can six Americans die when one person gets hold of a weapon designed to kill many and uses it on a group of people?
Though I appreciate the idea of the government protecting its citizens, there are far more significant things to examine than vaping.
What is surprising is that the government is promising swift action to "protect its citizens" from this product. I then started to wonder in what timeframe do six Americans die from ...
• being unable to take necessary medicine to keep alive due to the high cost of the product?
• not getting vaccinated for a disease due to unfounded fears of the product?
• accidents created by someone who is intoxicated or buzzed?
• motorists that ignore construction or police on the side of the road?
• disease caused by poor living conditions such as toxic water?
• not having a roof over their head or enough food to eat?
• a law enforcement officer who made a decision to act that was influenced by the color of someone's skin?
• being overseas wearing a military uniform in a war which those who started it have been long dead?
• suicide after being unable to cope with life following military service?
• suicide after being traumatized by others because of what they are?
• attacks because of what they are?
And ... How quickly can six Americans die when one person gets hold of a weapon designed to kill many and uses it on a group of people?
Though I appreciate the idea of the government protecting its citizens, there are far more significant things to examine than vaping.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Endgame
Unlike most, I was happy at the end of Infinity War as the universe was improved by the sacrifice that Thanos made. Because of that, I was not really interested in seeing Endgame knowing that Thanos's hard work would be nullified but 4 months later, decided to rent it from the privacy of my own home.
If you have yet to watch Endgame, this would be time to stop reading since the rest of the post will be about the movie.
I am aware than those remaining would eventually locate and with the help of Captain Marvel, make Thanos pay and it was brutal, simple, and anti-dramatic. However, that was only 20 minutes into the 181 minute movie. Then it showed people five years later dealing with the aftermath. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Banner was able to find a midpoint between him and the Hulk and that he was a scientist/celebrity.
I was angry to see a dilapidated Citi Field. Though I could understand the 2018 MLB season as well as other sports leagues suspending play for a season after half of those in the organizations disappeared but for them to fail to continue afterward in some form is not plausible especially in a world where other things appear normalized.
For me, Natasha running point talking with Marvel, Rocket and others seemed like a perfect place to end everything and roll credits after 35 minutes but then came the character that ruined it all. ANT MAN.
To be fair, it was not Ant Man in particular but the idea of time travel that he presented. My first thought upon hearing that suggestion was Back to the Future and soon heard Tony Stark say that and shortly after finding Thor and just before Stark said it, said Lebowski. When an overrated broadcaster of a Chicago baseball team that plays in a major league home stadium says something just after I do and annoys a fan of the other Chicago baseball team, that is fine. I really don't want to do that in a Marvel movie and though I enjoy time travel based entertainment, did not want it in this situation.
Much of the last 145 minutes of the movie was unnecessary sentimentality including recreating moments from the previous 21 films, having characters meet ones from the past, a poorly done crazy self sacrifice scene, and one last massive battle where those who were eliminated were back.
It took me four hours over three days to watch the last 145 minutes as I had fallen asleep four times during it (including at the start of the massive battle) and had to rewind the DVR to see what I missed..
I am glad I spent $6 at home as opposed to double that at a theatre.
If you have yet to watch Endgame, this would be time to stop reading since the rest of the post will be about the movie.
I am aware than those remaining would eventually locate and with the help of Captain Marvel, make Thanos pay and it was brutal, simple, and anti-dramatic. However, that was only 20 minutes into the 181 minute movie. Then it showed people five years later dealing with the aftermath. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Banner was able to find a midpoint between him and the Hulk and that he was a scientist/celebrity.
I was angry to see a dilapidated Citi Field. Though I could understand the 2018 MLB season as well as other sports leagues suspending play for a season after half of those in the organizations disappeared but for them to fail to continue afterward in some form is not plausible especially in a world where other things appear normalized.
For me, Natasha running point talking with Marvel, Rocket and others seemed like a perfect place to end everything and roll credits after 35 minutes but then came the character that ruined it all. ANT MAN.
To be fair, it was not Ant Man in particular but the idea of time travel that he presented. My first thought upon hearing that suggestion was Back to the Future and soon heard Tony Stark say that and shortly after finding Thor and just before Stark said it, said Lebowski. When an overrated broadcaster of a Chicago baseball team that plays in a major league home stadium says something just after I do and annoys a fan of the other Chicago baseball team, that is fine. I really don't want to do that in a Marvel movie and though I enjoy time travel based entertainment, did not want it in this situation.
Much of the last 145 minutes of the movie was unnecessary sentimentality including recreating moments from the previous 21 films, having characters meet ones from the past, a poorly done crazy self sacrifice scene, and one last massive battle where those who were eliminated were back.
It took me four hours over three days to watch the last 145 minutes as I had fallen asleep four times during it (including at the start of the massive battle) and had to rewind the DVR to see what I missed..
I am glad I spent $6 at home as opposed to double that at a theatre.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Thinking like a madman
The new mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot (It was weird to see her name listed on the sign at the Chicago Skyway entrance), stated that all the recent mass shootings can be blamed on the rhetoric proposed by the current administration but that is not true.
There are three thought processes among those who have grabbed an assault rifle and went out to shoot people.
Kill anyone (Aurora and Las Vegas): The idea behind these is to go to or near a location where a bunch of people are, load up, and shoot everyone there. These are planned to coordinate with a loud and noisy event like a rock concert or a movie to delay people reacting to the situation and to increase the number of killed and wounded.
Kill those at a specific location: (Sandy Hook and Dayton): Most school and workplace shootings fall under this category. The idea is to gain access to a location, find one specific target or group and open fire. Since the Dayton shooter was attempting to access a night club, it seems likely that he had a problem with that location or those there.
The rhetoric of the current administration generally does not influence the actions by those in the two categories but definitely fit into the third one.
Kill specific people: (Orlando and El Paso): The idea behind these is to find a bunch of people whom they believe deserve to die because of what they are (be it based on skin color, ethnic heritage, religion, or sexual preference) and kill as many as possible sacrificing yourself to make the world a better place.
Those who have decided to take action have left explanations about their decision and in those have stated they are following supporting the current administration or used phrases that are similar to what those in the current administration use. These shootings definitely fall directly on the administration.
As I have stated in other posts, trying to remove the desire or opportunity to kill many (which many in the current administration want to do) would require far more dramatic changes than just making it more difficult for people to get the required equipment.
One further point. All those who have gotten an automatic weapon and used it to kill many have one thing in common. It is not upbringing, income, age, or personal status. It is having a weapon which can fire dozens of shots before any police can respond.
There are three thought processes among those who have grabbed an assault rifle and went out to shoot people.
Kill anyone (Aurora and Las Vegas): The idea behind these is to go to or near a location where a bunch of people are, load up, and shoot everyone there. These are planned to coordinate with a loud and noisy event like a rock concert or a movie to delay people reacting to the situation and to increase the number of killed and wounded.
Kill those at a specific location: (Sandy Hook and Dayton): Most school and workplace shootings fall under this category. The idea is to gain access to a location, find one specific target or group and open fire. Since the Dayton shooter was attempting to access a night club, it seems likely that he had a problem with that location or those there.
The rhetoric of the current administration generally does not influence the actions by those in the two categories but definitely fit into the third one.
Kill specific people: (Orlando and El Paso): The idea behind these is to find a bunch of people whom they believe deserve to die because of what they are (be it based on skin color, ethnic heritage, religion, or sexual preference) and kill as many as possible sacrificing yourself to make the world a better place.
Those who have decided to take action have left explanations about their decision and in those have stated they are following supporting the current administration or used phrases that are similar to what those in the current administration use. These shootings definitely fall directly on the administration.
As I have stated in other posts, trying to remove the desire or opportunity to kill many (which many in the current administration want to do) would require far more dramatic changes than just making it more difficult for people to get the required equipment.
One further point. All those who have gotten an automatic weapon and used it to kill many have one thing in common. It is not upbringing, income, age, or personal status. It is having a weapon which can fire dozens of shots before any police can respond.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Friday by the numbers
Distance of #1 at Quakers challenge in feet: 242
Elevation change for #1: +105
Number of pin positions at Quaker's Challenge that were created just for the event: 5
Ounces of Coke Zero, Gatorade, and water drank from time I woke to time I finished round: 50,32, 70
Number of times I had to pee during round: 30
Times I used a disc that is faster than my Leopards in round: 1
Par for course: 69
Total for round: +18
Total of worse hole among the four players from the MA1 semifinal lead card played the following morning: +5
Shots worse than rating: 1
Listed par at Boulder Woods: 54
Number of holes where a 3 would have felt like a birdie: 4
Birdies in round: 3
Mandatories on course: 5
Mandatories used for the round: 3
Holes #1 player in the world Paul McBeth played during an interview on you tube: 8
Number of holes where my drive was closer to the basket than his: 2
Total for round: +8
Shots worse than rating: 2
Overall finish out of 58: 53rd.
Shots behind leader: 101
People at PA Turnpike rest area who asked if I needed medical assistance as I staggered around in pain getting to the bathroom and food court: 3
Miles driven from course before I realized I needed a hotel: 140
People at hotel that convinced me to get a handicap room due to how I was walking: 2
Elevation change for #1: +105
Number of pin positions at Quaker's Challenge that were created just for the event: 5
Ounces of Coke Zero, Gatorade, and water drank from time I woke to time I finished round: 50,32, 70
Number of times I had to pee during round: 30
Times I used a disc that is faster than my Leopards in round: 1
Par for course: 69
Total for round: +18
Total of worse hole among the four players from the MA1 semifinal lead card played the following morning: +5
Shots worse than rating: 1
Listed par at Boulder Woods: 54
Number of holes where a 3 would have felt like a birdie: 4
Birdies in round: 3
Mandatories on course: 5
Mandatories used for the round: 3
Holes #1 player in the world Paul McBeth played during an interview on you tube: 8
Number of holes where my drive was closer to the basket than his: 2
Total for round: +8
Shots worse than rating: 2
Overall finish out of 58: 53rd.
Shots behind leader: 101
People at PA Turnpike rest area who asked if I needed medical assistance as I staggered around in pain getting to the bathroom and food court: 3
Miles driven from course before I realized I needed a hotel: 140
People at hotel that convinced me to get a handicap room due to how I was walking: 2
Thursday by the numbers
Blocks walked uphill to get a "real" breakfast: 6
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Wednesday by the numbers
Trees hit on 243 foot downhill first hole of day: 3
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Two days by the numbers
Shirts in player pack: 2
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Last Christmas travel day by the numbers
Time on road 450AM CDT
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
Last in a lifetime event
This is scheduled to post shortly before I leave for York County, PA to play in the 2019 PDGA Amateur Worlds. I want to thank my sister for her help in getting me there and everyone else for putting up with me over the past 6 plus months talking and writing about the event.
This trip is the culmination of my decision in 2016 to dedicate time, energy, and funds for something I can do as opposed to watching people do things I can't and is why I have given up other things I want to do and attend while driving my beat up car thousands of miles through all types of weather (rain, snow, 90+°, -20°) to deliver food even on days I am tired and or sore from my regular job.
Though I refer this as a last in a lifetime trip to the Amateur Worlds, there are circumstances where I would play in this event again.
One: My game is worthy. My 2018 season was good enough to justify a first trip. However, to justify another week long trip within 15 years, my game would have to even be better than that.
From fatigue, physical discomfort, pain, and injury along with multiple brain failures in strategy, rules, and even adding scores, to way more often than acceptable having to ask myself how the **** did I throw the disc where it went, my 2019 season has been poor. Had I not played well the two weeks before registering (the only time I have not sucked to this point in 2019), I might have decided to not do so. Having woken the Friday before the trip with a right knee that lost much of its function is a somber reminder of the limit of my ability to perform.
I am a long way from being good enough to warrant a second road trip to this event and my goal as far as playing is to not be in the bottom group of 4 in my division (of the 60 currently entered) for the final round.
Two: Commuting. Most disc golf majors rotate among areas. From 2015 through 2017, the three world ams that I could not play were held less 200 miles from where I live but still far enough away to require a multiple night hotel stay.
There are some local areas that could hold an event where I could commute but the only plausible one in the near future is Joliet. Dellwood, located in Lockport, has the #1 ranked course in Illinois and is currently building an additional gold level course (which is what the York County, PA area did to get this year's event). There are also plenty of courses within 25 miles of Dellwood that have hosted tournaments and it is possible that with 6-8 other local courses they could host the Am Worlds a few years down the road.
If they are successful in getting the Am Worlds, 2025 would be best for me as that is the year I would turn *gulp* 60.
Three: 2035. If my instinct and calculations are incorrect or if I cheat death again, I could play in 70+ but doubt my body would be up for it in 16 years.
When I state this is a "last in a lifetime event", I am being realistic, not negative.
This trip is the culmination of my decision in 2016 to dedicate time, energy, and funds for something I can do as opposed to watching people do things I can't and is why I have given up other things I want to do and attend while driving my beat up car thousands of miles through all types of weather (rain, snow, 90+°, -20°) to deliver food even on days I am tired and or sore from my regular job.
Though I refer this as a last in a lifetime trip to the Amateur Worlds, there are circumstances where I would play in this event again.
One: My game is worthy. My 2018 season was good enough to justify a first trip. However, to justify another week long trip within 15 years, my game would have to even be better than that.
From fatigue, physical discomfort, pain, and injury along with multiple brain failures in strategy, rules, and even adding scores, to way more often than acceptable having to ask myself how the **** did I throw the disc where it went, my 2019 season has been poor. Had I not played well the two weeks before registering (the only time I have not sucked to this point in 2019), I might have decided to not do so. Having woken the Friday before the trip with a right knee that lost much of its function is a somber reminder of the limit of my ability to perform.
I am a long way from being good enough to warrant a second road trip to this event and my goal as far as playing is to not be in the bottom group of 4 in my division (of the 60 currently entered) for the final round.
Two: Commuting. Most disc golf majors rotate among areas. From 2015 through 2017, the three world ams that I could not play were held less 200 miles from where I live but still far enough away to require a multiple night hotel stay.
There are some local areas that could hold an event where I could commute but the only plausible one in the near future is Joliet. Dellwood, located in Lockport, has the #1 ranked course in Illinois and is currently building an additional gold level course (which is what the York County, PA area did to get this year's event). There are also plenty of courses within 25 miles of Dellwood that have hosted tournaments and it is possible that with 6-8 other local courses they could host the Am Worlds a few years down the road.
If they are successful in getting the Am Worlds, 2025 would be best for me as that is the year I would turn *gulp* 60.
Three: 2035. If my instinct and calculations are incorrect or if I cheat death again, I could play in 70+ but doubt my body would be up for it in 16 years.
When I state this is a "last in a lifetime event", I am being realistic, not negative.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Two score and .... just two score ago
I really wanted to go to the twi night doubleheader between the White Sox and Tigers on July 12, 1979 but my mom would not let me go.
It had nothing to do with watching the team that finished 73-87 with player/manager Don Kessinger (who was replaced by Tony LaRussa less than a month later).
It was to attend Disco Demolition Night as local DJ Steve Dahl destroyed a bunch of "evil" disco records on the field between games.
As most know, those in the overcrowded ballpark ended up rioting on the field and the White Sox ended up forfeiting the second game.
Today in the Dr. Demento Show Facebook page, someone posted a link about the event and since Steve Dahl has recorded parodies (and even performed at St. Rita HS when I was a sophomore), it was appropriate.
What was interesting was the reply Dr. Demento posted. He stated that the disco sucks movement was not necessarily about the music but the non Christian lifestyle exhibited by those who enjoyed the music.
Though I find the idea of a God non plausible, I still found the ideals preached necessary and was against all disco stood for.
When I was 13, I knew I had a 1% intellect and expected to end up like the 1% is today and had the same thoughts then that the rich people who are putting profit over humanity have today.
Forty years later, I know that person was an asshole. I believe that had I solved phase 2 to profit in phase 3, that I would still be that person. Even today, I have to fight my learned instincts in certain situations knowing they are wrong.
During the 1980 presidential campaign my sister asked me who would get my vote between a qualified woman and an unqualified man.
I stated I would find a reason to consider her unqualified and vote for the man. Just enough people in certain states made that exact decision in November, 2016 and we are currently living in the dystopia that it has created.
It had nothing to do with watching the team that finished 73-87 with player/manager Don Kessinger (who was replaced by Tony LaRussa less than a month later).
It was to attend Disco Demolition Night as local DJ Steve Dahl destroyed a bunch of "evil" disco records on the field between games.
As most know, those in the overcrowded ballpark ended up rioting on the field and the White Sox ended up forfeiting the second game.
Today in the Dr. Demento Show Facebook page, someone posted a link about the event and since Steve Dahl has recorded parodies (and even performed at St. Rita HS when I was a sophomore), it was appropriate.
What was interesting was the reply Dr. Demento posted. He stated that the disco sucks movement was not necessarily about the music but the non Christian lifestyle exhibited by those who enjoyed the music.
Though I find the idea of a God non plausible, I still found the ideals preached necessary and was against all disco stood for.
When I was 13, I knew I had a 1% intellect and expected to end up like the 1% is today and had the same thoughts then that the rich people who are putting profit over humanity have today.
Forty years later, I know that person was an asshole. I believe that had I solved phase 2 to profit in phase 3, that I would still be that person. Even today, I have to fight my learned instincts in certain situations knowing they are wrong.
During the 1980 presidential campaign my sister asked me who would get my vote between a qualified woman and an unqualified man.
I stated I would find a reason to consider her unqualified and vote for the man. Just enough people in certain states made that exact decision in November, 2016 and we are currently living in the dystopia that it has created.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Playing in the void
I often state that when playing disc golf that I have a "1050 demand of myself" but "850 ability". Treating myself like the top players in the world usually produces dissatisfaction when playing especially when things go worse than normal during and between events. Granted, this will occasionally allow myself to play above my level for a short period of time but in the long run, talent takes over.
This is a common theme for everything I have done in life. I am better than the average person but not up to standards with the elite players and the only way I have ever performed anything is by putting the same demands of myself that the best would do.
When bowling with those who don't understand why I put a stopper after a "Brooklyn" strike or tell me I am lucky when carrying a thin pocket hit (where the ball hits the 5), or golfing with someone who screamed "HOW YOU'RE DOING, LYNN?" while someone is swinging or "playing hockey" on the 9th green as someone has a 4 foot putt for a one over 37 (30 years ago today), it gets frustrating especially when accused of "not having fun". Of course, when I had fun playing, I would be accused of "showing off".
They are the same people who don't understand that my best round of golf produced an 83 on a hard course in 50 degree rain as opposed to a 78 in perfect conditions on an easier course or that the score in the best game I bowled is 240 (where every shot was executed exactly as I wanted it to be) while my high score is 277 (in two games where I did not execute 3 and 2 shots like I wanted).
In disc golf the same thing happens in "casual play" when I put a simple 80 foot approach shot 18 feet off target and told it is a good shot and when the following putt hits the basket without going in, that is a bad break.
That is why I prefer tournament and high end league play since those there know the game and can relate to a bad shot getting a good result and vice versa. Unfortunately, my body often does not have what it takes to participate consistently in it at that level. That causes me to put more effort into things which in multiple occasions causes my body to struggle which causes me to practice and try even harder and eventually I have to stop and possibly get medical help.
I have also stated that my dream foursome is me and any three other people who had car trouble on the way to the course causing me to play on an empty course by myself. I still reminisce about the time after work in May, 1996 where I carried my golf clubs and played all 36 holes at White Pines in 50 degree weather while a light drizzle was falling.
Though I occasionally have days where I find a compatible person (like I did today), those are few and far between. That is why I enjoy sports best playing alone in the void.
This is a common theme for everything I have done in life. I am better than the average person but not up to standards with the elite players and the only way I have ever performed anything is by putting the same demands of myself that the best would do.
When bowling with those who don't understand why I put a stopper after a "Brooklyn" strike or tell me I am lucky when carrying a thin pocket hit (where the ball hits the 5), or golfing with someone who screamed "HOW YOU'RE DOING, LYNN?" while someone is swinging or "playing hockey" on the 9th green as someone has a 4 foot putt for a one over 37 (30 years ago today), it gets frustrating especially when accused of "not having fun". Of course, when I had fun playing, I would be accused of "showing off".
They are the same people who don't understand that my best round of golf produced an 83 on a hard course in 50 degree rain as opposed to a 78 in perfect conditions on an easier course or that the score in the best game I bowled is 240 (where every shot was executed exactly as I wanted it to be) while my high score is 277 (in two games where I did not execute 3 and 2 shots like I wanted).
In disc golf the same thing happens in "casual play" when I put a simple 80 foot approach shot 18 feet off target and told it is a good shot and when the following putt hits the basket without going in, that is a bad break.
That is why I prefer tournament and high end league play since those there know the game and can relate to a bad shot getting a good result and vice versa. Unfortunately, my body often does not have what it takes to participate consistently in it at that level. That causes me to put more effort into things which in multiple occasions causes my body to struggle which causes me to practice and try even harder and eventually I have to stop and possibly get medical help.
I have also stated that my dream foursome is me and any three other people who had car trouble on the way to the course causing me to play on an empty course by myself. I still reminisce about the time after work in May, 1996 where I carried my golf clubs and played all 36 holes at White Pines in 50 degree weather while a light drizzle was falling.
Though I occasionally have days where I find a compatible person (like I did today), those are few and far between. That is why I enjoy sports best playing alone in the void.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Andy
The name Andy was my first choice for a son.
One time I answered the phone and was informed that my identity was stolen and they wanted my information so they can "fix it" for a "small fee".
Knowing what they were doing, I decided to string them along to prevent them from scamming someone else. So I told them my name was Andrew and my SSN is 382-77-4653.
When the info did not match, I stalled them before stating the number is how to spell FU ASSHOLE on a phone.
At my mom's the phone rang and she said it was her grandson who was in jail in New York City. I loudly asked if that was Andy and the person on the phone said it was.
I took the phone from my mom and said in a parental tone, "Andrew James Sherlock", what happened? I have not heard from you in a while. Are you ok?"
He started sobbing telling me he needs $500 for bail.
I asked him how he survived his mother's miscarriage in August 1999. He told me to fuck myself.
One time I answered the phone and was informed that my identity was stolen and they wanted my information so they can "fix it" for a "small fee".
Knowing what they were doing, I decided to string them along to prevent them from scamming someone else. So I told them my name was Andrew and my SSN is 382-77-4653.
When the info did not match, I stalled them before stating the number is how to spell FU ASSHOLE on a phone.
At my mom's the phone rang and she said it was her grandson who was in jail in New York City. I loudly asked if that was Andy and the person on the phone said it was.
I took the phone from my mom and said in a parental tone, "Andrew James Sherlock", what happened? I have not heard from you in a while. Are you ok?"
He started sobbing telling me he needs $500 for bail.
I asked him how he survived his mother's miscarriage in August 1999. He told me to fuck myself.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
The fourth requirement
Spurned by the Las Vegas shooting spree, I posted that all anyone needs to kill many is desire, opportunity, and equipment and realized that can apply to anything anyone wanted to do.
I applied that to a personal situation (which I might be repeating as this is released) but discovered a flaw. Though success via the plan was obtainable in theory, had the plan been attempted, it would have ended up significantly failing due to my inability to successfully engage it even though desire, opportunity, and equipment were available.
I realized that the ability to use equipment (or aptitude) is also necessary to accomplish anything.
For example: I am occasionally asked by people who don't understand why I play disc golf on the amateur level and not as a pro.
I do have the desire. I can easily change my membership from am to pro, and there are events where I can play pro in the 50+ division with my equipment.
I don't play pro because I am not good enough to do so. I know someone else who though he has the aptitude, has no desire to do that. All four things are required.
Also when asked about me being intimate with anyone, the results are 2 no, 1 meh, and 1 not sure anymore.
I applied that to a personal situation (which I might be repeating as this is released) but discovered a flaw. Though success via the plan was obtainable in theory, had the plan been attempted, it would have ended up significantly failing due to my inability to successfully engage it even though desire, opportunity, and equipment were available.
I realized that the ability to use equipment (or aptitude) is also necessary to accomplish anything.
For example: I am occasionally asked by people who don't understand why I play disc golf on the amateur level and not as a pro.
I do have the desire. I can easily change my membership from am to pro, and there are events where I can play pro in the 50+ division with my equipment.
I don't play pro because I am not good enough to do so. I know someone else who though he has the aptitude, has no desire to do that. All four things are required.
Also when asked about me being intimate with anyone, the results are 2 no, 1 meh, and 1 not sure anymore.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
The origin of the non plausible concept
In either second or third grade at St. Augustine School, I checked out a science book which explained the evolution of life on Earth and realized that those findings (based on examining the fossilized decay of Carbon 14) conflicted with the origin of life that exists in the Bible.
I asked my nun teacher (not the one that would tickle me during class when I would not smile; that was first grade) about it in class and she told me that this type of thinking would cause me to suffer eternal damnation and demanded that I state that I want to go to heaven when I die.
The next time I got that book, I asked one of the brothers about evolution and he immediately replied one word, "Faith."
About a month later, I asked about that book and found out it was no longer available.
Fortunately a teacher at St. Joseph and St. Anne got me into watching the PBS series Cosmos where I realized that there were others who chose fact over faith and my aunt, Sr. Katherine Bobber, who gave me a book which explained how many supernatural events in history could be the result of a technology from a species that was able to travel to our planet.
I used to say that any reference to God is not possible but realized that the phrase not plausible is more accurate. Plausible means that there is evidence that suggests an idea might be correct and non plausible means there isn't. When someone asks me about the origin of the universe, I state that I don't know what it is but I know is was not created 10,000 years ago.
Occasionally I will see a sign advising parishioners and others to ignore science and believe in faith. I feel sorry for those people who have turned away from logic and claim they are being attacked while they decide to cherry pick phrases from a book to justify harming others.
A couple of weeks ago, I explained to someone who today is celebrating Alabama's decision to make women broodmares of the state about how thanks to my blog, I realized that the negative reactions I would get from many over decades was not because they were assholes but instead they were reacting to one.
Multiple times he would try to reference how God could help me and that I should pray about it and my reaction was to explain that I on my own discovered that with thought and logic on my own.
I wonder if he will ever realize that I was not opening up to him but actually preaching to him.
I asked my nun teacher (not the one that would tickle me during class when I would not smile; that was first grade) about it in class and she told me that this type of thinking would cause me to suffer eternal damnation and demanded that I state that I want to go to heaven when I die.
The next time I got that book, I asked one of the brothers about evolution and he immediately replied one word, "Faith."
About a month later, I asked about that book and found out it was no longer available.
Fortunately a teacher at St. Joseph and St. Anne got me into watching the PBS series Cosmos where I realized that there were others who chose fact over faith and my aunt, Sr. Katherine Bobber, who gave me a book which explained how many supernatural events in history could be the result of a technology from a species that was able to travel to our planet.
I used to say that any reference to God is not possible but realized that the phrase not plausible is more accurate. Plausible means that there is evidence that suggests an idea might be correct and non plausible means there isn't. When someone asks me about the origin of the universe, I state that I don't know what it is but I know is was not created 10,000 years ago.
Occasionally I will see a sign advising parishioners and others to ignore science and believe in faith. I feel sorry for those people who have turned away from logic and claim they are being attacked while they decide to cherry pick phrases from a book to justify harming others.
A couple of weeks ago, I explained to someone who today is celebrating Alabama's decision to make women broodmares of the state about how thanks to my blog, I realized that the negative reactions I would get from many over decades was not because they were assholes but instead they were reacting to one.
Multiple times he would try to reference how God could help me and that I should pray about it and my reaction was to explain that I on my own discovered that with thought and logic on my own.
I wonder if he will ever realize that I was not opening up to him but actually preaching to him.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Transcript of today's "press conference"
MMOTL: Thank you for attending. I will make a short statement then open the floor to questions.
First of all, I want to thank Discontinuum for again having me on their squad in the club challenge and I want to apologise to Brett, Tom, and the club members for failing on the third straight year to post a round score that mattered in the standings.
Though I threw well especially in round two where I started with 9 straight in circle one (less than 10 meters from basket), it did not reflect on the score card as disc choice and poor putting were my issues. Going 2 for 12 on circle one birdie putts for the day without making any beyond is unacceptable.
I have an idea what has been happening with my putting and will dedicate practice time to get better with that part of my game.
This morning, my right knee was sore and a little swollen. Though I tried to work through it, I realized that continuing could cause injury and as you can see, it it currently under ice. It is believed that disc golf is not the only reason and other factors of which will not be elaborated further will be eliminated.
Any questions?
Press: Have you considered trying to put your physical issues out of mind? Doing so has helped me and it might make you better.
MMOTL: I really wish I did not have to manage pain and other physical issues. To be honest, many of the issues I have had in my life happened because I ignored them causing them to happen or worsen. I believe doing that yesterday contributed to my knee situation today.
Press: You stated you underperformed at Lemon Lake on Saturday as well as the previous two club events. Are you at least having fun?
MMOTL: Fun? Seriously? From what I can tell, you are much younger than me. For me it takes a lot of energy and effort to play tournament disc golf. When I drive home after an event, getting out of the car is difficult. The happy parts occur talking or thinking about the game. Even this press conference is more enjoyable than my tournaments played this year.
Without playing, I can't enjoy this sport just like all others I did in the past.
Press: There was an incident at a gas station on Saturday after the event. Can you explain what happened?
MMOTL: After getting gas, I went inside looking for food and soda as I have gotten before there as it is on my way home. To my disbelief, there was no pizza, no burgers, and no hot dogs.
As I grumpily paid for my soda tired, worn down, sore, hungry, and with a headache as those on my card during round two were smoking pot the cashier looked at me and said, "Smile, Jesus loves you."
I angrily replied, "FUCK YOU!" and she told me never come back there. I replied, "Why the fuck would I?" The way I carry myself seems to get people to try to comfort me and the ideas of being touched or told to smile I find more offensive than the claim of a non plausible concept.
Press: What are your thoughts about the ball golf weekend?
MMOTL: I was disappointed by the performance of ABT last weekend especially with the choices made on #12 on Sunday. I don't care that they won the previous 40 majors. Losing even one time is too many.
I am hoping last weekend ends up like 1986 when my father was unhappy that ABJ failed to win in that it was the last time it happened.
First of all, I want to thank Discontinuum for again having me on their squad in the club challenge and I want to apologise to Brett, Tom, and the club members for failing on the third straight year to post a round score that mattered in the standings.
Though I threw well especially in round two where I started with 9 straight in circle one (less than 10 meters from basket), it did not reflect on the score card as disc choice and poor putting were my issues. Going 2 for 12 on circle one birdie putts for the day without making any beyond is unacceptable.
I have an idea what has been happening with my putting and will dedicate practice time to get better with that part of my game.
This morning, my right knee was sore and a little swollen. Though I tried to work through it, I realized that continuing could cause injury and as you can see, it it currently under ice. It is believed that disc golf is not the only reason and other factors of which will not be elaborated further will be eliminated.
Any questions?
Press: Have you considered trying to put your physical issues out of mind? Doing so has helped me and it might make you better.
MMOTL: I really wish I did not have to manage pain and other physical issues. To be honest, many of the issues I have had in my life happened because I ignored them causing them to happen or worsen. I believe doing that yesterday contributed to my knee situation today.
Press: You stated you underperformed at Lemon Lake on Saturday as well as the previous two club events. Are you at least having fun?
MMOTL: Fun? Seriously? From what I can tell, you are much younger than me. For me it takes a lot of energy and effort to play tournament disc golf. When I drive home after an event, getting out of the car is difficult. The happy parts occur talking or thinking about the game. Even this press conference is more enjoyable than my tournaments played this year.
Without playing, I can't enjoy this sport just like all others I did in the past.
Press: There was an incident at a gas station on Saturday after the event. Can you explain what happened?
MMOTL: After getting gas, I went inside looking for food and soda as I have gotten before there as it is on my way home. To my disbelief, there was no pizza, no burgers, and no hot dogs.
As I grumpily paid for my soda tired, worn down, sore, hungry, and with a headache as those on my card during round two were smoking pot the cashier looked at me and said, "Smile, Jesus loves you."
I angrily replied, "FUCK YOU!" and she told me never come back there. I replied, "Why the fuck would I?" The way I carry myself seems to get people to try to comfort me and the ideas of being touched or told to smile I find more offensive than the claim of a non plausible concept.
Press: What are your thoughts about the ball golf weekend?
MMOTL: I was disappointed by the performance of ABT last weekend especially with the choices made on #12 on Sunday. I don't care that they won the previous 40 majors. Losing even one time is too many.
I am hoping last weekend ends up like 1986 when my father was unhappy that ABJ failed to win in that it was the last time it happened.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Actions over thoughts and prayers
When I was trying to take thousands of steps for fitness and contests, I would occasionally pass by a place where people were actively engaging in a ritual over a non plausible concept.
When I would look inside, I could imagine a person with multiple automatic rifles easily taking out dozens of people lined up like lambs to a slaughter.
Then I would hope than when someone else comes up with that idea and carries it out that it would finally get those who make laws in the US to ignore the money they get from those who want guns and more guns and do something to prevent more killing. It didn't.
Within 3 days, New Zealand is doing that.
I saw a billboard with the phrase "Pray for new Zealand". It is meaningless. The people of that nation saw a problem and are taking care of it the same way the US acted against fertilizer and airline passengers in the past but won't against guns.
Those in the US who waste their time and energy in prayer should not pray for New Zealand but instead should pray that when not if the next angry white man with assault weapons opens fire on a bunch of citizens that those killed are not their friends, family, or themselves.
When I would look inside, I could imagine a person with multiple automatic rifles easily taking out dozens of people lined up like lambs to a slaughter.
Then I would hope than when someone else comes up with that idea and carries it out that it would finally get those who make laws in the US to ignore the money they get from those who want guns and more guns and do something to prevent more killing. It didn't.
Within 3 days, New Zealand is doing that.
I saw a billboard with the phrase "Pray for new Zealand". It is meaningless. The people of that nation saw a problem and are taking care of it the same way the US acted against fertilizer and airline passengers in the past but won't against guns.
Those in the US who waste their time and energy in prayer should not pray for New Zealand but instead should pray that when not if the next angry white man with assault weapons opens fire on a bunch of citizens that those killed are not their friends, family, or themselves.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Half a lifetime later (almost)
May 6, 2018.
After making a putt on #12 at Lemon Lake Blue that landed on the side of the basket and almost in slow motion fell the correct way for a birdie, I had completed the first six (having started on #7) of the fourth round of the 2018 US Masters Championship in 17 shots.
In the three previous times (and one since) had never scored a 3 on #7, 10, or 11 so the good luck that started on the second shot of practice was still going and I knew then the round could be special.
I was able to continue through smart play to keep things going while barely missing two long birdie putts. The same self pressure of staying clean (meaning no bogies) that was experienced on my 27th birthday reemerged for the first time in over two and a half decades.
After a birdie on #3, there was a par 4 which I never parred before or since but that day the drive went through a decent sized gap between trees, a second shot went around a tree to a clean line, and an approach to ten feet for a par which provided a fist pump to three confused players from Colorado, Georgia, and France.
My last hole, #6, is another par 4 that runs along the road bordering the course and it was not impossible to put a disc on it especially into a slight breeze. After the last vehicle, one that reminds me or a car I would expect to see in rural Indiana, passed, I started my approach noticing it was slowing. As my arm started forward, I heard the engine blast as the vehicle, according to those who were with me, spewed a black cloud of smoke. I then watched my disc fly 275 feet exactly where I was aiming.
My relatively simple 80 foot third approach shot was one I have made hundreds of times but never to complete the best round I ever played. After it landed five feet away, I was holding back tears knowing that on this day that all the pain, aggrivation, and FOMS experienced was worth it.
After returning to tournament central, I experienced something unexpected to me. People ranging from the Illinois head of the PDGA, the person who ran the course, and those I know congratulated me on my round and I did not realize all that was required as a reply was "Thank you" as opposed to a detailed summary.
My life has been so full of negative enforcement, ignorance and hostility to my successes, I had no idea how to react. On a PS4 trivia game, upon seeing 25 random letters, spelled OVERREACTION, I was booed or upon seeing a sports question, others complained. When I play that game now, I purposely miss questions or get drunk so I don't always win.
In 36 hours, my 2019 tournament season will start and since my rating now puts me in the upper half of most fields, winning events is no longer improbable and since I am usually not the obnoxious asshole I was almost half a lifetime ago, I will need to learn to accept compliments especially when deserved.
Note: Two months later still working on just saying "thank you" especially when complimented on a shot that I was not 100% happy with my throw.
After making a putt on #12 at Lemon Lake Blue that landed on the side of the basket and almost in slow motion fell the correct way for a birdie, I had completed the first six (having started on #7) of the fourth round of the 2018 US Masters Championship in 17 shots.
In the three previous times (and one since) had never scored a 3 on #7, 10, or 11 so the good luck that started on the second shot of practice was still going and I knew then the round could be special.
I was able to continue through smart play to keep things going while barely missing two long birdie putts. The same self pressure of staying clean (meaning no bogies) that was experienced on my 27th birthday reemerged for the first time in over two and a half decades.
After a birdie on #3, there was a par 4 which I never parred before or since but that day the drive went through a decent sized gap between trees, a second shot went around a tree to a clean line, and an approach to ten feet for a par which provided a fist pump to three confused players from Colorado, Georgia, and France.
My last hole, #6, is another par 4 that runs along the road bordering the course and it was not impossible to put a disc on it especially into a slight breeze. After the last vehicle, one that reminds me or a car I would expect to see in rural Indiana, passed, I started my approach noticing it was slowing. As my arm started forward, I heard the engine blast as the vehicle, according to those who were with me, spewed a black cloud of smoke. I then watched my disc fly 275 feet exactly where I was aiming.
My relatively simple 80 foot third approach shot was one I have made hundreds of times but never to complete the best round I ever played. After it landed five feet away, I was holding back tears knowing that on this day that all the pain, aggrivation, and FOMS experienced was worth it.
After returning to tournament central, I experienced something unexpected to me. People ranging from the Illinois head of the PDGA, the person who ran the course, and those I know congratulated me on my round and I did not realize all that was required as a reply was "Thank you" as opposed to a detailed summary.
My life has been so full of negative enforcement, ignorance and hostility to my successes, I had no idea how to react. On a PS4 trivia game, upon seeing 25 random letters, spelled OVERREACTION, I was booed or upon seeing a sports question, others complained. When I play that game now, I purposely miss questions or get drunk so I don't always win.
In 36 hours, my 2019 tournament season will start and since my rating now puts me in the upper half of most fields, winning events is no longer improbable and since I am usually not the obnoxious asshole I was almost half a lifetime ago, I will need to learn to accept compliments especially when deserved.
Note: Two months later still working on just saying "thank you" especially when complimented on a shot that I was not 100% happy with my throw.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Half a lifetime ago (almost)
I was going to post this on a future date but after expanding on that thought, it should be done now.
The date: November 13, 1992.
It was the day I turned 27 but back then, I was not aware of the connection with that number and Weird Al. To me it marked two things. Two years after the point where I first expected to die and one year after I met my girlfriend which was the first time I kissed a woman that was not her doing it as a joke.
Most of my coworkers at Universal Bowling Corporation were unhappy to hear that I was bowling in my league at 9PM that evening. They wanted me to get a hotel room and spend a romantic night with my GF or go to a club with her.
One coworker who was my teammate as well as the league secretary knew that I had to be at Palace Manor Bowl in Cicero and why.
Three weeks prior, my 65 year old father after stopping at the racetrack drove four more blocks to watch me bowl. After one frame, I noticed he headed into the lounge to put a twenty dollar bill (He hit the double at Maywood) into a "for amusement only" video slot machine.
I then hear a bowler get upset. He had credit in the machine and was playing it between frames and my father did not realize that.
After my dad played his 20 and left, I walked to the bowler to apologize, I hear him say to his teammate, "That old fuck ..."
Though I do not disagree with his description but I still confronted him. Fortunately, thanks to our respective teammates, no blows were traded.
You can probably guess what team we were against on lanes 1 and 2 that evening.
As I always did before the lights came on for practice, I stopped by my teammate's wife since she was collecting money for various optional pots. There was one for high each of three games and high series (both with handicap) as well as one for 7 strikes in a row.
There were also two for bowling clean, having a strike or a spare in a frame. One was instant clean which was for the one who from the start went the most frames without an open and 30 clean for anyone bowling three games without an open. At that point in the season, no one had done it so there was $300 available since it carries over if not won.
The previous year no one had won it into March and I had multiple bowlers watch every frame in my third game until I got a split in the 5th.
That night, I was hyper focused on bowling wanting to beat that team bad. After not getting a split early after being too pumped up and pulling my shot left to the nose of the head pin, I got in a good rhythm getting either a strike or leaving an easy spare. As I am waiting to bowl the 10th frame, I am announced as the winner of the instant clean pot.
The second game was even less memorable than the first other than finishing with three strikes in the 10th. When it was over, I walked to my teammate's wife who noticed my game was clean and asked 20 which I confirmed then asked to not tell anyone.
Compared to the previous March, the third game started with no one not paying attention but as the game progressed clean, those on my pair were becoming more aware of me as I kept reacting to every strike and spare with emphasis especially after converting a 3-6-9-10 in the 8th and a 2-4-5 in the 9th in a game that our team had sinched.
As I held my AMF black Ninja (ball brand) for my 10th, I moved 1/2 board to the left from my previous shot that went through the nose and executed as good a shot I did all night with all ten in the pit.
Those on lanes one through eight turned my way as I screamed in triumph. My teammate, league secretary who has referred to me as an insane lunatic shipping clerk had a WTF look and in a stance reminiscent of Goku from Dragon Ball Z charging in a voice that echoed through the 16 lane center bellowed, "THIRTY!"
Confused, he asked and I nodded my head rapidly and pointed to his wife. He turned around, saw her nod as well, then headed to the counter as I left a ten pin on my 11th shot.
Over the PA: "Even those here, in the parking lot, and possibly driving by probably already could figure out... Thirty clean, Ken Sherlock," followed by no reaction by anyone. After I picked up my spare, he gave me the money.
No one else in the building said anything to me in one of the few nights I ever left a bowling alley happy. Even though I won more money than I earn in a week, my girlfriend did not say anything to me either even after buying her dinner earlier that evening (on my birthday).
The lack of reaction was exactly what I really wanted at the time after "disappointing the crowd that wanted me to fail". The madman won... DEAL WITH IT!
I had thought they were just being jealous but almost half a lifetime later, I understand.
The date: November 13, 1992.
It was the day I turned 27 but back then, I was not aware of the connection with that number and Weird Al. To me it marked two things. Two years after the point where I first expected to die and one year after I met my girlfriend which was the first time I kissed a woman that was not her doing it as a joke.
Most of my coworkers at Universal Bowling Corporation were unhappy to hear that I was bowling in my league at 9PM that evening. They wanted me to get a hotel room and spend a romantic night with my GF or go to a club with her.
One coworker who was my teammate as well as the league secretary knew that I had to be at Palace Manor Bowl in Cicero and why.
Three weeks prior, my 65 year old father after stopping at the racetrack drove four more blocks to watch me bowl. After one frame, I noticed he headed into the lounge to put a twenty dollar bill (He hit the double at Maywood) into a "for amusement only" video slot machine.
I then hear a bowler get upset. He had credit in the machine and was playing it between frames and my father did not realize that.
After my dad played his 20 and left, I walked to the bowler to apologize, I hear him say to his teammate, "That old fuck ..."
Though I do not disagree with his description but I still confronted him. Fortunately, thanks to our respective teammates, no blows were traded.
You can probably guess what team we were against on lanes 1 and 2 that evening.
As I always did before the lights came on for practice, I stopped by my teammate's wife since she was collecting money for various optional pots. There was one for high each of three games and high series (both with handicap) as well as one for 7 strikes in a row.
There were also two for bowling clean, having a strike or a spare in a frame. One was instant clean which was for the one who from the start went the most frames without an open and 30 clean for anyone bowling three games without an open. At that point in the season, no one had done it so there was $300 available since it carries over if not won.
The previous year no one had won it into March and I had multiple bowlers watch every frame in my third game until I got a split in the 5th.
That night, I was hyper focused on bowling wanting to beat that team bad. After not getting a split early after being too pumped up and pulling my shot left to the nose of the head pin, I got in a good rhythm getting either a strike or leaving an easy spare. As I am waiting to bowl the 10th frame, I am announced as the winner of the instant clean pot.
The second game was even less memorable than the first other than finishing with three strikes in the 10th. When it was over, I walked to my teammate's wife who noticed my game was clean and asked 20 which I confirmed then asked to not tell anyone.
Compared to the previous March, the third game started with no one not paying attention but as the game progressed clean, those on my pair were becoming more aware of me as I kept reacting to every strike and spare with emphasis especially after converting a 3-6-9-10 in the 8th and a 2-4-5 in the 9th in a game that our team had sinched.
As I held my AMF black Ninja (ball brand) for my 10th, I moved 1/2 board to the left from my previous shot that went through the nose and executed as good a shot I did all night with all ten in the pit.
Those on lanes one through eight turned my way as I screamed in triumph. My teammate, league secretary who has referred to me as an insane lunatic shipping clerk had a WTF look and in a stance reminiscent of Goku from Dragon Ball Z charging in a voice that echoed through the 16 lane center bellowed, "THIRTY!"
Confused, he asked and I nodded my head rapidly and pointed to his wife. He turned around, saw her nod as well, then headed to the counter as I left a ten pin on my 11th shot.
Over the PA: "Even those here, in the parking lot, and possibly driving by probably already could figure out... Thirty clean, Ken Sherlock," followed by no reaction by anyone. After I picked up my spare, he gave me the money.
No one else in the building said anything to me in one of the few nights I ever left a bowling alley happy. Even though I won more money than I earn in a week, my girlfriend did not say anything to me either even after buying her dinner earlier that evening (on my birthday).
The lack of reaction was exactly what I really wanted at the time after "disappointing the crowd that wanted me to fail". The madman won... DEAL WITH IT!
I had thought they were just being jealous but almost half a lifetime later, I understand.
Friday, March 1, 2019
The madman vs. the world
When I was creating my previous post and the one that is scheduled after this, I realized something. People being confrontational or ignorant when I win is not a unique situation. I can think of dozens of times when upon success, I am met with silence, resentment, or even anger which at times has lessened or even ruined the rare moments in life where I succeeded.
Driving around making deliveries gives me time to examine things. I was searching for a common thread to the over four decades of reactions from classmates, coworkers, teammates, opponents, relatives, and friends some of which were mentioned in previous posts.
The answer is as simple as integral calculus and is most disgusting when I see it in a mirror and I am ashamed it took that long to figure it out.
That is part of the price of being a madman. The same angry and disgusted asshole when things are going bad turns into an obnoxious, pompous asshole upon success.
When I first encounter something new, restraint is necessary since revealing my unusual ideas often scare people. That is why I will often be in the corner out of the flow so I don't make a bad impression.
In any timespan from minutes to decades, fatigue, anger, pain, or life will bring out the madman and once that happens, people will remember other questionable moments and realize who I really am. No matter how hard I try to fix that, it can't be fixed and for a while, I try to avoid the shells from the egg I busted.
Once I realize it stops being worth the effort, it becomes time to walk away.
Driving around making deliveries gives me time to examine things. I was searching for a common thread to the over four decades of reactions from classmates, coworkers, teammates, opponents, relatives, and friends some of which were mentioned in previous posts.
The answer is as simple as integral calculus and is most disgusting when I see it in a mirror and I am ashamed it took that long to figure it out.
That is part of the price of being a madman. The same angry and disgusted asshole when things are going bad turns into an obnoxious, pompous asshole upon success.
When I first encounter something new, restraint is necessary since revealing my unusual ideas often scare people. That is why I will often be in the corner out of the flow so I don't make a bad impression.
In any timespan from minutes to decades, fatigue, anger, pain, or life will bring out the madman and once that happens, people will remember other questionable moments and realize who I really am. No matter how hard I try to fix that, it can't be fixed and for a while, I try to avoid the shells from the egg I busted.
Once I realize it stops being worth the effort, it becomes time to walk away.
Monday, February 18, 2019
Spinning out of the turn
Growing up in Chicago, there was one voice that I associated with horse racing and that is Phil Georgeff. He called most thoroughbred races at all the area tracks for over 30 years and he made all of his world record 97,000 calls sound special to me. His most famous race calls were the first million dollar races along with the one of Dr. Fager in 1968 of the fastest mile in North America whose record still stands 50 years later.
For me the most special calls of his were during the 6 week period in January and February when he called the harness races at Hawthorne as there was no thoroughbred racing at that time.
This date 30 years ago was a big deal as the fastest active trotting horse in the world, Chicory Wind, was racing there to close out the winter meet. My father and I joined the 10,000+ there (at that time there was limited OTB and intertrack wagering so most who wanted to bet on a horse had to do it there.) We got there about 40 minutes before the first race (as usual) and as I do when there is a big race immediately went to look at that one. After 30 seconds, I proudly announce to my father that Broderick was going to beat Chicory Wind.
He gave me that look I often get when I make an unusual statement so I explained that Broderick will be second the whole way. Chicory Wind will open up the lead to three lengths on the turn right into the northeast wind that was happening and instead of holding on or drawing away like it usually does, it will struggle and lose. Since I did not have much cash with me, I played $5 a 1-2 perfecta (more known as an exacta; that is what it was called only in Illinois at that time) for that race and then looked at the rest of the races. I actually had to watch the previous two races before without any money on them since all I had left was my $5 bet. When it was time for the race, Chicory Wind was 1-9 (which is as low odds a horse can be listed at) and my father decided to not make any bet since it was not worth it.
After finding out a current coworker has an interest in harness racing a few weeks ago, I went to you tube and as I have done before I searched for names of horses and found this which I my favorite call that he ever made.
https://youtu.be/pIm1VZxvKd4
What I cashed was about what I earned in 8+ hours at Universal Bowling and Golf corporation when I made $6.85/hr. Though I have won more many times, that race made me happy. After I saw the video, I had a smile all day at my job and currently have one now after watching it while sitting at an old laptop typing this in pain from when I stumbled while walking up six flights of stairs after a long evening of deliveries.
My father saw the smile on my face and after lighting a cigarette stated if I was that confident about what was going to happen, I should have borrowed $20 to put on the race. Since I did not want to figure out how to get home on my own, I did not respond remembering the previous July he stopped the car on I-55 just before the California Ave exit and demanded I get out and walk the rest of the way home.
For me the most special calls of his were during the 6 week period in January and February when he called the harness races at Hawthorne as there was no thoroughbred racing at that time.
This date 30 years ago was a big deal as the fastest active trotting horse in the world, Chicory Wind, was racing there to close out the winter meet. My father and I joined the 10,000+ there (at that time there was limited OTB and intertrack wagering so most who wanted to bet on a horse had to do it there.) We got there about 40 minutes before the first race (as usual) and as I do when there is a big race immediately went to look at that one. After 30 seconds, I proudly announce to my father that Broderick was going to beat Chicory Wind.
He gave me that look I often get when I make an unusual statement so I explained that Broderick will be second the whole way. Chicory Wind will open up the lead to three lengths on the turn right into the northeast wind that was happening and instead of holding on or drawing away like it usually does, it will struggle and lose. Since I did not have much cash with me, I played $5 a 1-2 perfecta (more known as an exacta; that is what it was called only in Illinois at that time) for that race and then looked at the rest of the races. I actually had to watch the previous two races before without any money on them since all I had left was my $5 bet. When it was time for the race, Chicory Wind was 1-9 (which is as low odds a horse can be listed at) and my father decided to not make any bet since it was not worth it.
After finding out a current coworker has an interest in harness racing a few weeks ago, I went to you tube and as I have done before I searched for names of horses and found this which I my favorite call that he ever made.
https://youtu.be/pIm1VZxvKd4
What I cashed was about what I earned in 8+ hours at Universal Bowling and Golf corporation when I made $6.85/hr. Though I have won more many times, that race made me happy. After I saw the video, I had a smile all day at my job and currently have one now after watching it while sitting at an old laptop typing this in pain from when I stumbled while walking up six flights of stairs after a long evening of deliveries.
My father saw the smile on my face and after lighting a cigarette stated if I was that confident about what was going to happen, I should have borrowed $20 to put on the race. Since I did not want to figure out how to get home on my own, I did not respond remembering the previous July he stopped the car on I-55 just before the California Ave exit and demanded I get out and walk the rest of the way home.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Working with a Linux mind
I have compared my brain to a Linux operating system due to its unique processing power but filled with compatability issues with other formats as well as filled with weird bugs. Here is a prime example:
Last week my company had a contest guessing the total employees across its 5 US locations with the closest not over winning a $50 gift card.
On the company TV channel that plays in the lunchrooms shows the 95 total people with either a birthday or service anniversary in February. Multiply that by 6.5 since February averages 28.25 days for all that would be here (28.241 over 1,000 years) is 617.5. I figured 50 on their first year not on the list (those from my previous employer have their prior service time included in the company service milestones) gives 667.5.
As I was writing my email with an answer of 666, I realized that answer could create a problem as some would interpret my deliberate anti Christian answer incorrectly as a supporter or Satan. That is incorrect as I find all beliefs in a supreme being (even those whose members are tortured because they believe in the "wrong one") non plausible.
I was relieved to see that all answers were shown and then eliminated until there was a winner. The correct answer was 668 and the winning entry was 615. Shortly after I realized had I just answered 665, I would have won the gift card without the potential headache.
Last week my company had a contest guessing the total employees across its 5 US locations with the closest not over winning a $50 gift card.
On the company TV channel that plays in the lunchrooms shows the 95 total people with either a birthday or service anniversary in February. Multiply that by 6.5 since February averages 28.25 days for all that would be here (28.241 over 1,000 years) is 617.5. I figured 50 on their first year not on the list (those from my previous employer have their prior service time included in the company service milestones) gives 667.5.
As I was writing my email with an answer of 666, I realized that answer could create a problem as some would interpret my deliberate anti Christian answer incorrectly as a supporter or Satan. That is incorrect as I find all beliefs in a supreme being (even those whose members are tortured because they believe in the "wrong one") non plausible.
I was relieved to see that all answers were shown and then eliminated until there was a winner. The correct answer was 668 and the winning entry was 615. Shortly after I realized had I just answered 665, I would have won the gift card without the potential headache.
Friday, January 25, 2019
The greenhouse effect
When I was a kid, I would read books about sports and science including those about the nine planets.
I thought I noticed an error in that the high and low temperature on Venus was the same. I pointed that to my teacher and she did not know why. At least she did not answer the question by stating it was a decision made by a supreme being.
(A book on evolution I read when I was 7 stated life began on earth millions of years ago and I asked a priest about the conflict between that and the Bible. His reply, "Faith." The next time I looked for the book in the St. Augustine school library was told it is no longer available. )
The answer to my Venus question was provided by Carl Sagan in the Cosmos episode titled The Greenhouse Effect. He explained though the planet is farther from the Sun than Mercury, it is hotter and not just the side that faces the Sun as it rotates aund the Sun in less time than it spons around itself once.
The massive amount of hydrocarbons spewed by volcanoes trap the heat from the Sun and even when facing away from the Sun, heat doesn't escape. That is why the whole planet is hotter than Mercury.
When there is a clear night on earth, heat radiates away from the planet a whole lot easier which is most noticable in winter.
Without any hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, the planet would get too cold at night but with too much, it does not get cold enough.
Weather is generally not a correcting situation. Heat produces more heat, rain produces more rain, etc. As more hydrocarbons get released, things are slowly getting warmer a little at a time. Enough years of this will make it more difficult for those on the planet to produce enough food.
This is the situation. We are making things more difficult especially when production and profit overcome responsibilities.
It will get extremely cold in the Chicago area the upcoming week. Weather happens. Right now in Australia it is so hot power grids are failing.
No matter what please do NOT state:
Where the hell is global warming?
You are likely smarter than the president of the United States and a person so stupid that she married me.
I thought I noticed an error in that the high and low temperature on Venus was the same. I pointed that to my teacher and she did not know why. At least she did not answer the question by stating it was a decision made by a supreme being.
(A book on evolution I read when I was 7 stated life began on earth millions of years ago and I asked a priest about the conflict between that and the Bible. His reply, "Faith." The next time I looked for the book in the St. Augustine school library was told it is no longer available. )
The answer to my Venus question was provided by Carl Sagan in the Cosmos episode titled The Greenhouse Effect. He explained though the planet is farther from the Sun than Mercury, it is hotter and not just the side that faces the Sun as it rotates aund the Sun in less time than it spons around itself once.
The massive amount of hydrocarbons spewed by volcanoes trap the heat from the Sun and even when facing away from the Sun, heat doesn't escape. That is why the whole planet is hotter than Mercury.
When there is a clear night on earth, heat radiates away from the planet a whole lot easier which is most noticable in winter.
Without any hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, the planet would get too cold at night but with too much, it does not get cold enough.
Weather is generally not a correcting situation. Heat produces more heat, rain produces more rain, etc. As more hydrocarbons get released, things are slowly getting warmer a little at a time. Enough years of this will make it more difficult for those on the planet to produce enough food.
This is the situation. We are making things more difficult especially when production and profit overcome responsibilities.
It will get extremely cold in the Chicago area the upcoming week. Weather happens. Right now in Australia it is so hot power grids are failing.
No matter what please do NOT state:
Where the hell is global warming?
You are likely smarter than the president of the United States and a person so stupid that she married me.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Looking at stats
One of the things I can't do on a tablet or phone is look at detailed stats from disc golf. Since playing right now would be difficult as the weather is actually reflecting the fact that it is January, I powered up the old work laptop that was given to me and looked at Illinois 50+ amateurs to see how I compared to them.
The default listing is player points and for 2018 for events in the 50+ division, I was 6th out of 82 total players who played in at least one event in that division. This includes players who are 60+ and one who is 70+ that played in one event in that division. Last year I was tied for 9th.
I then sorted the players by rating.and saw that I was 30th. Last year I was 46th.
I decided to sort by number of events played and my name was on the top with 12. (There were three events where I didn't play in MA50+ because that division was not available) In 2017, I was tied for third with 14.
The two who were ahead of me in 2017 were tied for second. Both of those players played more total events than 15 I did but they played 8 and 9 in other divisions including 2 each in the newly created MA55+ division which I will be eligible to play in 2020.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Ten year picture challenge (times two)
Many have posted to Facebook a side by side picture from ten years ago and recent to show how they changed.
Though I want to do that, can't without a computer so I will do this here but going back 20 years with three pics:
March 1998
This is against at the time World Scrabble champion Brian Cappeletto. He was tired and made a mistake at the end and I won the game. That is the same as beating Brooks Kopeka or Greg Barsby in a couple of holes at a practice round.
I don't remember what year my last Scrabble game against a human being (as opposed to a computer AI) was but with using all 7 tiles three times one of them being a triple-triple, scored 618 points against my mom.
March 2008
At the Dementia Radio part room at Marscon 2008. Was there alcohol in that cup? Of course there was. People would ask me why I would take the whole week after the convention off work. That was to physically recover from it.
March 2018
My last practice shot before playing my first rated event in 2018 in Olympia Fields, IL. That round was rated higher than any played in 2017 and equaled that of an elite player in the MA50 group who was on my card.
I am positive that spending the previous Sunday at that course practicing and not at a hotel 450 miles from there contributed to my success.
If my instincts are wrong and instead of dying in 2034 it happens soon, I would hope these three pics are in a memorial of me.
Though I want to do that, can't without a computer so I will do this here but going back 20 years with three pics:
March 1998
This is against at the time World Scrabble champion Brian Cappeletto. He was tired and made a mistake at the end and I won the game. That is the same as beating Brooks Kopeka or Greg Barsby in a couple of holes at a practice round.
I don't remember what year my last Scrabble game against a human being (as opposed to a computer AI) was but with using all 7 tiles three times one of them being a triple-triple, scored 618 points against my mom.
March 2008
At the Dementia Radio part room at Marscon 2008. Was there alcohol in that cup? Of course there was. People would ask me why I would take the whole week after the convention off work. That was to physically recover from it.
March 2018
My last practice shot before playing my first rated event in 2018 in Olympia Fields, IL. That round was rated higher than any played in 2017 and equaled that of an elite player in the MA50 group who was on my card.
I am positive that spending the previous Sunday at that course practicing and not at a hotel 450 miles from there contributed to my success.
If my instincts are wrong and instead of dying in 2034 it happens soon, I would hope these three pics are in a memorial of me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
