tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2153013152231163612024-03-17T11:38:20.362-07:00My not so Normal WorldCharts, maps, graphs, and lists that describe my life.madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.comBlogger481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-42593120357755258972024-03-14T15:38:00.000-07:002024-03-17T11:37:47.939-07:00Marscon 2024 by the numbers<p>People riding the bus: 8</p><p>Max people with luggage that could comfortably ride the bus: 14</p><p>Delay in minutes of departure due to seat belt replacement: 45</p><p>Stops for fuel/bathroom: 2/2</p><p>People who liked mashed potatoes & chicken sample at Kwik Trip and were looking for the actual one on way back but were disappointed since it wasn't out then: 3</p><p>Max speed in mph: 68</p><p>Max speed in mph going uphill in northern Wisconsin: 55</p><p>50+ aged men on bus loudly singing "Sit on My Face" when it came on: 3</p><p>Total time in hours to get to Marscon: 8</p><p>People who ate at IHOP after: 14</p><p>Distance in miles from that IHOP to nine hole disc golf course: 1.1</p><p>Hours before opening ceremonies I saw comedy music guest of honor eating hotel breakfast and I decided to leave him alone out of courtesy, something he appreciated I did: 10</p><p>Times I have taken a picture of the Pepsi logo in the Mall of America South food court with my left hand giving it the middle finger: 10</p><p>Meals eaten at the mall: 3</p><p>Meals eaten at a gas station: 3</p><p>Pounds gained over the weekend: 4</p><p>Places I know at Mall of America that are required to serve Pepsi products even though the chain serves Coca Cola products everywhere else: 11</p><p>Times on 1.3 mile walk from Mall of America back to hotel I threw the yellow dx Leopard I purchased from Air Sports along the side of American Blvd: 8</p><p>Feet last throw ended up from going in a previously unseen pond: 1</p><p>Snow cover in Bloomington in inches at Marscon 2023/2024: 28/0</p><p>Had I driven myself like I did the previous two years ...</p><p>Number of rounds I would have played on trip to Marscon: 2</p><p>Number of times out of the four nights at the hotel I would have left early in the morning and played one of the 5 courses used by players in a division restricted to those 60 and older at the 2014 amateur world Championship: 3</p><p>Now on to the con itself ... </p><p>Years the great Luke Ski performed there: 21</p><p>Number of main stage performers 45 years or older: 4</p><p>Number of main stage performers 45 years or older in 2014: 1</p><p>Distance from Marscon in miles of person who complained about the lack of ethnic diversity in the performers: 1,750</p><p>Number of Marscons that person attended: 0</p><p>When asked if there are any POC performers to recommend, number that person provided: 0</p><p>Number of artists doing a song with the word chicken in its title: 3</p><p>People who had the knowledge and energy to dance to "Corn Beef and Cabbage": 6</p><p>Concerts seen featuring either of the two artists who as a duo closed Friday's set since the last time I saw the person they replaced perform: 7</p><p>Number of major alterations made to the Fake Adult video in the ten years since it was first made: 3</p><p>Time in minutes GOH performed before confirming he reached his obligatory set length: 45</p><p>Number of "emotional support spatulas" sold: 22</p><p>Number of golden spatulas RJ has won for winning Dumb Parody Ideas: 3</p><p>Total number of random Luke Ski shirts found on the same site someone got his $80 Luke Ski sweater: 8</p><p>Possible shot combinations available at the Klingon party "Clue" theme: 64</p><p>Different cider choices at the Space Oddity room: 4</p><p>Weird Al songs I sung as part of the crowd in the karaoke party room: 3</p><p>Knots worked out of my legs in the massage room: 3</p><p>Different animal sounds someone who wanted to complete the scavenger hunt had to make in the Furry party room: 5</p><p>Different tvs set up for 4 player Mario Cart in the Crashing Course party room: 2</p><p>People who had there first Malort in the Minicon room: 3</p><p>With one meaning minimal engagement and six maximum, my experience with potential female company: 2</p><p>That same rating the previous two years: 1</p><p>People who boarded bus to go to Kahn's: 20</p><p>Total people who rode the bus over the weekend: 22</p><p>People who did not take the bus to Marscon who asked about 2025: 4</p><p>People who played Boob Tree Sunday night: 11</p><p>People not playing who just hung out in that room: 10</p><p>Total sports stadiums seen in the Twin Cities area: 3</p><p>Hours from departure bus returned: 102 1/2</p><p><br /></p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-47478121620476180132024-02-28T13:23:00.000-08:002024-02-28T13:23:03.257-08:00After the fallsOne month ago, I decided against driving an hour plus to a course out of state and played the nearest one to my apartment. After my final drive on the third time through the nine, I decided to walk the shorter sidehill path around a pond and on a cement part, the shoe lost traction and I fell on my right leg that buckled under me. After 30 nervous seconds collecting myself, was happy leg supported weight and I went home.<div><br /></div><div>I tried to work the day after and ended up taking the Tuesday off where my doctor confirmed no broken bones, told me I was lucky that was the case, and wrote a note allowing me to take the rest of the week off work which as usual, was thrown out. I realized there was no way I could play the one round event the following weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple weeks later, the trauma from the fall was gone but everything still did not feel what has become the "normal". I realized that with the fall the Tuesday before Thanksgiving where two days later I had one of the best rounds of my life with a bruise covering 1/3 of my left foot, and another one at work in December, there is a pattern. </div><div><br /></div><div>Though I could still throw a golf disc mostly well continuing the success from late 2023, the legs were really unhappy during and especially after. Actually had a coworker show concern to my supervisor about me after watching me get out of the car on the way back from my last one round event. My doctor more directly last month told me what I should do and not do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her biggest concern was the scale. I am 12 pounds heavier than I was in November and am at my highest point which is way above what I consider the heaviest I should play tournament disc golf. Between the stress from work and the injuries and knowing I am still playing real well, not eating responsibly made sense but no one is forcing me to do what I did.</div><div><br /></div><div>The body is also responding to my eating. Problems in late 2023 can be attributed to Waffle House, company luncheons, and unexpected mushrooms but those in 2024 are not. On the average, once per week have ended up with bloating, cramps, continuous gas, and/or multiple bathroom trips after paying $10-20 for ready made food at various places. One of those occasions I was very fortunate it kicked in twenty feet from a grocery store bathroom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since not eating at those places has led to weight loss, there is a second reason to avoid those places and this will be tested to, in, and from Minnesota next week which is why I don't want to be counted on to volunteer for anything in case the body says "no" up there and there is a need to stay in the hotel room.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Sunday, I did not play a desired two round event and there are multiple ones with current or upcoming registration that I can't do at this time since I am not confident that I can not only finish the event but be able to function the following day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two of the following three Sundays have a one round event which I feel comfortable playing since I was ok following a club round a few weeks ago but won't register for a two or more round event until my legs and mostly weight recovers from the previous 3-4 months of neglect.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am registered for a two round event in early April which is the weekend before I would register for the world's and it would be unfair for me and potential other MA55+ players at the world's to register unless my situation significantly improves by then.</div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-37497846364287912922024-02-23T15:32:00.000-08:002024-02-23T15:32:48.773-08:00The Swift and the Furious<p>Other than seeing people throw golf discs, the largest topic of videos I've seen on Facebook involve one specific musician be it past interviews, interactions with fans, reactions from fans, concert footage, or at the NFL Championship Game playing a game involving herself by chugging a beer upon seeing herself on the video board.</p><p>The grade school version of me who had a unique combination of being born on the 13th and having a bad luck cartoon character with all eight letters of the last name almost in the same order really would have appreciated someone that famous flaunting 13 as their lucky number and find the non concert clips enjoyable knowing her opinion of the man who attempted to overthrow the government is the same as mine. </p><p>The music and on stage are something different. Though I understand the point of view of the songs, there is very little for me to relate and the on stage performances remind me of the ones in the late 20th century featuring people who in my mind replaced the music I enjoyed.</p><p>Many of the replies remind me of how I used to feel about people like Madonna and Janet Jackson with how ignorant and hateful they are while criticizing everything they did off stage as well as on.</p><p>Today, I am well aware that her music is not for me and I am ok with it and if people want to spend a couple thousand dollars to watch her on stage, that is their choice and they will likely enjoy it. Even the person who has the most tracks on my Spotify play list has stated he is his own target audience.</p><p>Personally, I find money others spent on the Eras Tour more useful to charter a bus and get my daughter to co drive it to watch people whose name are on my contact list perform music and afterwards drink alcohol and if things go exceptionally well... nah.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-38320794010285384462024-02-05T17:41:00.000-08:002024-02-05T17:41:17.353-08:00Non championship sports part 1 continued.<p>In part due to questionable coaching decisions, the Detroit Lions recently lost an opportunity to make their first Super Bowl and continued their streak of being the only one of 23 teams that have played all the past 58 seasons to not make it to the game.</p><p>How I determined the mathematical odds of that happening: I figured out the probability of the Lions not winning the NFL Championship each season from 1966 to 1969 and of not winning the NFC Championship each season from 1970 to 2023 and multiplied them.</p><p>Due to addition of more teams and division realignments, the odds of the Lions from 1970 through 1994 (except for 1982) were not reflective the number of NFC teams since the NFC Central had a different number of teams than the NFC West and or NFC East.</p><p>After crunching the numbers, the odds of Detroit failing to make the Super Bowl for 58 consecutive years is 57.6-1.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-10485451833001928942024-01-04T18:20:00.000-08:002024-01-07T06:35:50.871-08:002023 by the numbers <p>Total courses played: 53</p><p>States played: 5</p><p>New courses played: 12</p><p>Tournaments completed: 22</p><p>Desired tournaments not played: 14</p><p>Tournaments not finished: 1</p><p>League rounds played: 4</p><p>Unrated club rounds played: 3</p><p>Total rated rounds played: 42</p><p>Event wins: 2</p><p>Lifetime IOS events played without a win: 35</p><p>IOS events played in 2023: 4</p><p>Other players to play 4 or more of the seven 2023 IOS events required to win series title in MA50: 0</p><p>Total players in MA50 and MA55 at Illinois State Championship: 23</p><p>Number of those who took more shots than me in round one: 22</p><p>Number of shots better than me a player in FA1 was for that round: 7</p><p>Among the 53 B tier or higher lifetime events played previously or since did I have a solo lead at the end of a round: 0</p><p>Years before that I was tied for first after round one of a B tier: 6</p><p>People who were listed on the lead card in round two above me: 1</p><p>Other rated events where pairings are redone I have seen where the first place player does not get the honor to tee off first on the lead card: 0</p><p>Dollars I will pay to that TD in the future unless I get a satisfactory explanation or apology: 0</p><p>Of top five rated rounds from 2023, number that occurred among last five played: 4</p><p>Number of those among 11 highest lifetime rated rounds played: 3</p><p>High temp in F° for those days: 54, 47, 41</p><p>Of my eleven highest lifetime rated rounds, at 50 Acre: 4</p><p>At Fairfield White: 3</p><p>At Dellwood: 2</p><p>At Lemon Lake: 1</p><p>At Red Fox: 1</p><p>Of those 11 rounds at league/flex start/MP50/major/non major MA50: 3/1/1/1/5</p><p>People who claim you can't get a high rated round at 50 Acre: dozens</p><p>Different holes birdied in 2023: 304</p><p>Of those, on a hole I had never done before 2023: 137</p><p>Lifetime unique birdies: 725</p><p>Metal hits: 8</p><p>Dollars won on only ace of the year: 260</p><p>Age Steve Goodie became on the day I got the ace: 58</p><p>Age Weird Al became on the day I got previous ace: 62</p><p>Times in 2023 seeing Steve Goodie do his act with "weird Al and Daniel Radcliffe" (who played Weird Al in his "bio pic"): 2</p><p>Different discs used to get a birdie: 55</p><p>Different companies from those discs: 9</p><p>Discs lost in water: 5</p><p>Discs lost in trees: 4</p><p>Discs lost in leaves: 1</p><p>Times the lost disc was a DX Leopardo: 5</p><p>Lost discs found and returned to me: 1</p><p>Shots in 2023 I considered better than the ace: 2</p><p>Number of times since 2017 a shot on #13 at 50 Acre was considered shot of the year: 3</p><p>Times I had more "deuces" at the course than 2s on the scorecard in a tournament: 2</p><p>"Deuces" on course playing by myself: 2</p><p>Articles of clothing thrown in garbage due to them: 3</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-25604355575479644622023-10-12T15:23:00.001-07:002023-10-12T15:23:47.010-07:00FuMPFeST by the numbers <p>Total music artists there: 16</p><p>Artists with full main stage show: 10</p><p>Artists with short set in FuMP Showcase: 4</p><p>Artists who were there to work the convention rather than perform: 2</p><p>Artists who had to cancel due to COVID: 2</p><p>Artists I saw perform for the first time there: 2</p><p>Trading cards with a FuMP artist: 35</p><p>Cards in goodie bag along with bonus 2021 CD, sticker, ribbon, and a piece of tile: 8</p><p>People who asked why there was TILE in the bag: 2</p><p>Artists there who had merch at Table 27: 12</p><p>People looking for new Worm Quartet album Carpe Tedium which will be available soon: 3</p><p>People who made at least three purchases at Table 27 after hearing about raffle or wanting to get a CD after seeing a performance: 4</p><p>Artists who made purchase at table 27: 10</p><p>People who asked me if I needed assistance on Thursday evening since I was struggling to walk after playing 63 holes in 24 hours: 4</p><p>Times I needed to walk up or down a flight of stairs at hotel: 20</p><p>Times right knee was a serious issue with the stairs: 0</p><p>Things at hotel closed for the convention: 3</p><p>Animals who were snuggled by Bonnie Gordon: 4</p><p>Items gifted to table 27 workers by artists: 3</p><p>Worm Quartet parodies performed during Dumb Parody Ideas: 3</p><p>Total words in my dumb parody idea that qualified for round two: 10</p><p>Seconds after not making the final two I realized upon seeing Bonnie I should have shouted "SQUIRREL!" as she was holding one: 5</p><p>Logan Awards finalist songs performed by artist there: 3</p><p>Logan Awards finalist songs covered by other artist there: 5</p><p>Logan Awards parody finalist songs which I am not familiar with the original: 3</p><p>Logan Awards video finalists I have seen before event: 1</p><p>Logan Awards winners I have seen or heard before event: 2</p><p>Years ago my dumb parody idea was performed about the same topic the Logan Awards video winner was: 5</p><p>Seconds in hotel room bathroom it took on Saturday evening to get door handle back in and turn handle so I could get out: 45</p><p>Different people I ate breakfast with: 8</p><p>People I ate other meals with: 0</p><p>Food trucks that were in parking lot: 4</p><p>Total shirts obtained: 3</p><p>Total CDs obtained: 6</p><p>Purchases made for other people: 2</p><p>Drawings made of artists made by one fan there: 4</p><p>People who signed the golden spatula given to the dumb parody idea winner: 12</p><p>People doing interviews for FuMP documentary: 4</p><p>People I recommended them interview for this: 3</p><p>People I saw react with surprise hearing Marscon 2024 GOH: 5</p><p>People who had same reaction after telling them I could rent a bus to have my daughter drive many to Marscon: 6</p><p>People playing Boob tree Saturday night: 16</p><p>Convention awards handed out after last music performance: 20</p><p>Minutes after music ended I was able to head home: 120</p><p>Hours between meals on Sunday forcing me to stop and eat before getting on the road: 9</p><p>Hours before my workday was starting I finally made it home: 5</p><p>Hours worked on Monday np when I realized it was too dangerous for me to continue: 5</p><p>Days after con ended I had enough mental energy to write this: 4</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-44735220944970376912023-10-06T07:30:00.001-07:002023-10-06T08:45:46.048-07:00By default<p>While attempting to pay my electric bill with my replacement debit card which the site kept rejecting since it had the same number as the old one but with a different expiration date and code...</p><p>I got a text congratulating me on winning the disc golf 2023 Illinois Open Series Season championship in the MA50 division.</p><p>A look at the standings confirmed I won since I was the only player who played four of the seven events in MA50. However, this win is tainted.</p><p>Two of those four events I barely finished due to my right knee which has been an issue since May before it got worse in late July. </p><p>Had to miss the final event due to the knee and someone who had played three events 39 shots better than me over eight tournament rounds (7 in my group) switched from MA50 to MP50 in that final eveent as no one else registered. Had I been able to play, he wouldn't have switched and would have qualified.</p><p>I also know in the one IOS event I played that he didn't, he missed due to "life" and the only time I played a round better than he did among the ten we both were at was at the state championship when I played one of the best rounds of my life the week before the knee went real bad which is similar to what happened with me the week before my left leg gave out in my last ever bowling league against the best in Chicago in the summer of 1994.</p><p>I believe there is a season trophy involved which if I get will rightfully give it to him the next time I see him.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-71260425265568361232023-10-05T23:18:00.009-07:002023-10-06T07:16:52.954-07:00Pre FuMPFeST by the numbers<p>Dollars withdrawn from ATM on Tuesday: 100 </p><p>Hours worked on Wednesday before hitting road: 6.5</p><p>Miles from work to Con on the Cob which hosts FuMPFeST: 363</p><p>Toll charges to drive directly from work to COTC: $31.76</p><p>Miles driven on road before discovering debit card no longer works: 90</p><p>Miles driven off Indiana Toll Road into Michigan to confirm card was deactivated at ATM to be replaced by one still at my house and to get extra cash: 5</p><p>Average cents gas is cheaper in Ohio (not on tollway) compared to where I live: 40</p><p>In dollars, how much more a 4pc Popeye's combo meal costs at Ohio Turnpike rest stop than at the one where I live: 3 (At least no sales tax was charged)</p><p>Times needing UDisc to find either basket or next tee on nine in West Union, OH: 4</p><p>Birdies on course: 6</p><p>Birdies on putts that were 50/50 throws that stayed in: 3</p><p>Birdie putts missed on a double-doink: 1</p><p>Time starting at Perrysville, OH course: 632PM</p><p>Sunset in city that day: 715PM</p><p>Time to finish round in minutes: 48</p><p>Deuces in round: 5</p><p>Holes I got a three which were listed as a par four that I changed on app to reflect how they play: 2</p><p>People who arrived at Waffle House as I was by car changing out of a very sweaty shirt: 5</p><p>Hours two people there had been working as the second shift called off: 15</p><p>Extra cash to leave as deposit for hotel room: 60</p><p>Phone calls, texts and FB messages trying to figure out how to get and or use replacement debit card: 20</p><p>Pairs of socks in bag that originally held six and were the only ones I packed for a four night trip: 3</p><p>Miles driven along US 20 Thursday morning to get to next course in Fremont: 25</p><p>Signage supporting man who has been indicted almost 100 times: 3</p><p>Signage opposing vote designed to protect female reproductive rights: 6</p><p>Holes at Walsh Park where my drive left me between 40 and 100 feet: 12</p><p>Times I couldn't easily figure out where to go even with UDisc App: 3</p><p>Birdies: 1</p><p>Discs lost trying to throw a shot I shouldn't: 1</p><p>Discs found and posted to OH lost discs group: 1</p><p>Miles driven past COTC hotel to get to course in Norton: 15</p><p>Holes from short tee (to be used by MA50 in tournament) where on a shot that avoided trees, can get within 30 feet: 18</p><p>Different quotes from a book based on a non plausible concept that are listed on tee signs: 36</p><p>Deuces on course: 6</p><p>Long birdie attempts smited by edge of cage: 3</p><p>Deuces "on course" no doubt related to previous nights Waffle House dinner: 1</p><p>Items thrown in garbage due to that incident: 2</p><p>Dollars left at course entrance found disc drop off box along with apology note: 5</p><p>Minutes arriving at hotel to getting checked in due to resolving issue with card: 30</p><p>Minutes in hotel room to find bathroom light which was not found until after I took a shower using light from my phone: 15</p><p>People I did not know who offered help after watching me struggle walking after playing 63 holes in less than 24 hours and sitting down too long: 4</p><p>Times someone forgot it was Thursday since cons generally start on a Friday: 10</p><p>People who had filled out their Luke Ski Top 50 poll previously while I was filling out the poll while listening to him talk about his top 50 poll: 13</p><p>Minutes it took paramedics to arrive after person attempted to use "heelys" and ended up with an ankle bent 90 degrees in the wrong direction: 25</p><p>Times I had to remind myself to ask other people how they are and/or someone important to them are doing because I generally forget to do that and then wonder after how they are: 10</p><p>FuMPFeST swag bags helped to assemble: 55</p><p>Minutes listening to three performers discuss what songs they could and could not perform during their concert due to the SAG strike: 15</p><p>Time returning back to room: 1:15 EDT</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-51856306237803013092023-09-16T17:45:00.003-07:002023-09-16T17:47:57.244-07:00Rocking my world<p>At work on a Saturday, was moving a full skid of packages picked and packed by an all female crew with a fork truck when their female supervisor came by and stated she was going to "rock their world". She saw my puzzled look at that statement then said, "Not you, Ken" followed by them all laughing.</p><p>Though she was showing them a new feature that applied to their job and not mine, the laugh felt like it was about the idea that no one would want to "rock my world". </p><p>The implied reaction was accurate. I have chosen to focus my energy over most of the past decade on something I can do as opposed to someone. The one encounter in that time frame involved a financial transaction that became real awkward for me confirmed this is the preferred path. On the rare occasions where there is an opportunity as the instincts still exist, I realize it is best to not pursue them both for her benefit as well as mine. </p><p>The desire to prove them wrong kicked in and was imagining a scenario in three weeks where due to alcohol (the only other plausible circumstance), there could be someone wanting to "rock my world" and I remember similar encounters over the previous decade with others willing to do so. </p><p>As I drove away from work an hour later, realized no. Even before my right knee 6 weeks ago made my desired pursuit difficult, the physical ability to fully enjoy the company of someone else was questionable and I don't mean "tab A" which is still "fully functional".</p><p>I don't see myself making a post work trip to Dellwood on the upcoming "Freedom Day" since I am not sure I can safely navigate the steps and the potential drop offs there. After finally getting a birdie last year starting on #13 and playing a real good round that day finishing with a 60 foot throw in on #1 playing my IL States layout along with the IL States 2023 round eight days before the knee went bad where out of 23 amateurs born in 1973 or later, I had the best score, no need to go.</p><p>After seeing the MA50 winner get an official recognition from his town, I'm really pissed that for my round two, my name was NOT listed first on the lead card and I did not get the honor of going first which now with my knee, there is serious doubt I will ever be in that situation again.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-69235987473406765762023-09-06T15:06:00.002-07:002023-09-16T17:12:52.788-07:00Alternate disc golf history<p>While dealing with my right knee arthritis that has deteriorated to the point where I had to withdraw from an event before the second round started even though I had a chance to win, started thinking what if the lottery ticket I bought from the Des Plaines Speedway in July 2022 was the $1.337 billion winner.</p><p>As far as disc golf, this is what I would have done with it:</p><p>Help out the local clubs that are raising money to improve the local courses which I have been able to enjoy though I lack the physical ability to do much with the physical aspect.</p><p>Find a way for local player Dan Schlitter to tour. After he won a Silver Series event in 2021, there was talk about it but he chose to stay home. He deserves a chance to go on tour.</p><p>Get Dellwood to finish their new course. They have been working on it for a while and the area deserves another championship level course. Though the labor needed is beyond my ability, there is enough money to get others to do it.</p><p>Get the DGPT to come to that new course. I would add $13/entry to the prize fund for all their events and $113/entry for the Dellwood one. No doubt there would be three weekends, one open pro, one age restricted pro, and one am. Would supply high end am prize pack for am.</p><p>Get the 2025 World Masters Championship to the area. It would take a lot of money and I would have it. There are plenty of area courses viable for that event. I am aware those best qualified to run this are not interested in doing so but would hope that I could financially convince them otherwise.</p><p>Get MA60 at that World's to be two rounds Dellwood using the A bracket IL States lowers layout and two rounds at 50 Acre long 1,6,8,10-13, and 15-17. Then I would have a chance to make the cut. </p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-89563029922515820402023-07-19T18:21:00.000-07:002023-07-19T18:21:13.006-07:00When you wish ...<p>After the January, 1987 NFL Championship Game, there was a commercial featuring MVP Phil Simms showing him winning the game. At the end a voice over mentioned that he won and asked him what is he going to do next. The answer, "I'm going to Disney world!"</p><p>For three and a half decades, that commercial is usually done following that game and has been done with other sports including the Chicago Bulls first title in 1991.</p><p>After finding out the Chicago area Weird Al Yankovic 2022 tour stop was the Friday and Saturday of the 2022 PDGA Masters World Championship (ironically similar to his 2019 Chicago appearance after the previous World Championship I played) my brain had an idea especially since I got VIP tickets for the Saturday show.</p><p>Knowing that I am playing an elite event, realized making the cut was unlikely and a parody of the Disney commercial had to be made. If I have not shown it to you, here is a link to it: https://youtu.be/Iy8-9FEGKbQ</p><p>Fortunately my daughter has gotten to the point where she can easily provide "tech support for dad" and put everything together for me but I had to get the components.</p><p>Since there was a tournament on the course my event would likely finish two months prior, it made sense to record myself "not winning". With the help of someone working the event after it was over, managed four planned shots on the blue course at Northwood Park in Morton, IL:</p><p>Hole 1 tee hitting an early tree and me shaking my head in disgust</p><p>Hole 1 putt off basket going down hill long</p><p>Hole three uphill standing fairway shot off tree</p><p>Throwing my disc golf bag</p><p>Though I wished the hole one putt rolled away as opposed to just going way long down the hill, losing my balance on three and having to run down the hill to avoid falling was unplanned and likely the result of playing two tournament rounds on the hilly blue course.</p><p>The initial plan of a shot into the water on 6 at Sunset Hills would have required me to arrive Saturday and spend the night since that is 45 minutes away from Northwood Park but was scrapped. (Of course in round three of the event I did it twice)</p><p>There were three still shots as well: </p><p>Tournament logo</p><p>Park sign: Which was edited two days before it premiered since the initial sign of the picture did not reference the event</p><p>Weird Al on stage</p><p>For audio, know the opening had to be from Luke Ski "When You Wish Upon a Death Star" with the clank sound of the disc hitting metal after the word a. The timing of that was perfect and any disc golfer could relate to it.</p><p>Wanted music that was mocking me and my daughter found Yakety Sax which was perfect though many my age know that from British comedian Benny Hill.</p><p>For the voice over, had many ideas and then realized Luke Ski as Gilbert Gottfried would be best.</p><p>At the end, wanted only the last four notes from the Weird Al song "Albuquerque" but what was up is fine. When the video was first uploaded, there was a copyright claim and the song was credited through You Tube.</p><p>I am grateful for Luke's help and especially for my daughter taking a stupid idea of mine and working with me (which I know was not easy) making it something worth showing people.</p><p>After the video premiered about the time I expected my event to end, I tweeted Weird Al, the PDGA, and the event itself hoping it would go viral but no luck. I tried explaining it to Al when I saw him the very next day as I had VIP tickets to his Saturday show but his reaction was uncomfortable which likely was affected by how difficult it was for me to try to quickly explain it.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-78415567236133671802023-07-12T13:24:00.003-07:002023-07-12T13:27:59.538-07:00No christmas this year<p>As expected, had to explain what I call christmas to coworkers and why I won't experience it in 2023.</p><p>Though eligible to play in the 2023 Masters World's, my decision to not play is valid on all counts:</p><p>An uncomfortable round trip flight to PHX (with luggage) would be needed along with a rental car to drive to and within Flagstaff along with a seven night hotel stay since Saturday arrival and departure would be necessary. one day earlier than 2022 to adjust to the elevations and one day later in case I make the cut.</p><p>The elevation and topography of the region make navigating the courses difficult which has become a recent problem for me.</p><p>I am not good enough nor have enough disposable income to justify making the trip.</p><p>I examined the 2022 & 2023 results of the six players who made the trip from the Chicago area to play between the MA50 and MA65 divisions and discovered between them:</p><p>76 total non flex start wins in a tournament</p><p>36 C tier</p><p>29 B tier</p><p>8 A tier</p><p>3 majors</p><p>Me: zero. In 10 years, have won six total non flex start C tier events.</p><p>There were 15 times in the 18 months I was in a club, league, or tournament against one of the six. All 15 times, they scored better.</p><p>Two of the three times there were two of them, I managed to score better than one of them but finished 13 and 8 shots behind the other who won the division. The third time, I ended up doing the "walk of shame" in front of two of them standing on the 12th tee at Sunset Hills in the chase card as I hobbled to the pond in front of #6 to attempt to retrieve two discs that ended up in the pond in front of the green.</p><p>Though there were some cases where it came down to one shot, when it continuously happens, the only reason is that they are better.</p><p>As difficult as it was to not go in 2015 due to a lie, unlike the rest of the years I didn't play, this one has no one else to blame.</p><p>So, what do I need to do to (according to Natalie Ryan) "get better"?</p><p>First of all, fix the body. A person whose age equals my BMI could play in Flagstaff and that has to change. Have had moderate success over the past 6 weeks but it takes a long time to undo decades of poor eating. My grocery trip today involved more tasty desired items not in my cart than regular I purchased. The last two autumns also involved a work related issue with the left leg that no doubt contributed to unchecked weight gain that was not corrected once the issues went away.</p><p>Another personal issue is failure to walk off the course until satisfied with the result or the body says no. This has definitely caused stress related issues with the body multiple times this year. I scared myself and my card mates at an event two weeks ago with how difficult it was to get up after sitting five minutes late during round two. There have been multiple events over the past two years I could not play due to physical issues.</p><p>No doubt, there is likely a better way for me to throw a disc and there are people who can help me with that. Two of them are multi time major champions and are running a clinic in 12 days at 50 Acre Park and it makes sense for me to pay money to see if they can help me.</p><p>For some reason, knowing there is something that can be done to make me better provides comfort. It is a bit scary for me to try to be better since there will be a point where there is not much more that can be done.</p><p>If nothing else, if the body is improved, navigating courses and getting out of bed and the car will become less stressful.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-26884895999743698072023-05-25T15:28:00.001-07:002023-05-25T16:12:57.269-07:00A reading from the Book of Madman<p>A coworker woke one morning and discovered to his horror that his wife passed away during the night.</p><p>Out of courtesy, an appearance was made at the funeral home though he left well before someone came by to start the unnecessary chanting that has been experienced.</p><p>The next day a different coworker, the one who in the past claimed Halloween must be the favorite holiday because of his association with Satan asked how she looked.</p><p>The monotone reply, "Dead."</p><p>"What do you mean?"</p><p>"She is in a casket and not breathing. How else would she look?"</p><p>An hour later was called into the HR office because it was reported that jokes were being made about the situation. Had the initial thought of adapting John Cleese's monologue made during the dead parrot sketch which was used to euthanize Graham Chapman been presented, could understand but stating a dead person looked dead gave them nothing to stand upon.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is why I no longer attend any memorial service unless I could recognize the deceased in a police lineup.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-51814773008736076972023-04-06T18:40:00.003-07:002023-05-10T20:15:28.312-07:00"Masters qualifying"<p>I tell people the US Disc Golf Championship is the equivalent to the ball golf Masters in that it is held at one course that very few are able to play outside the event, it is treated differently than other tour events, and that qualifying is similar. (The Professional Disc Golf Association in an article quoted this opinion and attributed it to me.)</p><p>A few years ago, a women's division was created but unlike the mixed one, it is not a major since the US Women's Open is one.</p><p>Other than past winners, qualifying for those two events held on the campus of Winthrop University in South Carolina in October happens throughout the year and the top finishers not already qualified in selected events get a spot to the main event.</p><p>Last weekend had a non tour event serve as a qualifier. Called Throw Down the Mountain, it is held on a former quarry site which might in the future get a larger event since six time world champion Paul McBeth teamed up with White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease to purchase the property to make the temp course there permanent.</p><p>As expected, Paul McBeth beat the weaker field fairly comfortably and the next four finishers gained the berth to the USDGC, one of which was settled in a playoff. The controversy happened in the FPO division.</p><p>The day after the event, the MAGA mom of twins one who finished third and the other losing a playoff posted to multiple forums claiming her daughter won and deserves the berth since the playoff winner, Natalie Ryan, should not be allowed to compete in FPO being transgender. (The exact ignorant words won't be quoted in this blog)</p><p>The pro tour and PDGA won't allow her to compete on tour and in majors but will allow the #9 ranked FPO player to play other events this one only having one other player ranked in the top 50. (There is a lawsuit in California about her not being allowed on tour).</p><p>As someone replied, "I will refer to someone by however the choose to identify themself but bodies play this event and hers is not female." When I watch her throw a disc, I see an MA1 player and not an FPO and I agree with that idea.</p><p>Having a daughter, can relate to the parent. One youth soccer game, I reported a different park district after overhearing one parent state the team had players older than allowed.</p><p>Had my daughter lost an opportunity to play at Winthrop to a trans woman, even if she would finish as far out of first as I did in the world's, there would be a desire to approach Natalie with my phone recording, knee her in the nuts, and while she is reacting, ask the camera how she is allowed to play FPO.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-72358141596300530122023-03-13T12:19:00.004-07:002023-03-13T16:50:22.969-07:00Marscon 2023 by the numbers<div>Hours at work in 32 day span between Feb 5 and Mar 8: 267</div>Minutes delayed Thursday morning due to work issue that was discovered as I was about to put on my coat: 60<div>Percentage of area in trip to Minnesota under a winter storm warning: 33</div><div>Stops made on trip there: 2</div><div>Miles driven while snow fell: 180</div><div>Mph reduced due to snow: 5</div><div>Speedway employees whose day was made when I quoted Marty McFly as coworker was putting water in the pizza warmer: 1</div><div>Total time on trip there: 6hr, 15min</div><div>Time less in minutes than second fastest trip taken to Marscon since 2004: 45</div><div>Hotel hot tubs no longer operational likely due to law requiring full access and a device to provide it: 2</div><div>Pedal turns on fitness room stationary bike made before realizing due to left knee issues, can't: 4</div><div>Minutes on treadmill: 25</div><div>Times waking up in night and forcing myself to go back to sleep: 3</div><div><br /></div><div>CDs owned of former Marscon music GOH who joined me for breakfast Friday morning: 4</div><div>Stops with a different past Marscon music GOH for purchases related to activities within the hotel: 4</div><div>"Random" pictures inspired by Jomez Pro taken inside Mall of America that I wanted to take: 12</div><div>Pictures I found the correct place to take: 6</div><div>Styles of shoes found in Famous Footwear close what I have worn for years: 1</div><div>Total shoes of that style on display, none of which fit me: 9</div><div>Minutes spent at MOA store discussing disc golf and other things with two employees the version of me one third my age would be too afraid to do so: 20</div><div>Minutes after wondering if non disc golf item seen at that store should be purchased which would require me to exchange same item purchased at store from earlier but realized that the item from original purchase was not with me: 10</div><div>Years since a woman made me moan with pleasure at Marscon: 11</div><div>Number of times left knee popped while getting on feet after her 20 minute therapeutic massage on the rest of the leg was over: 3</div><div>Friday night performers: 5</div><div>Those I saw in room while fighting sleep: 2</div><div>Total pictures taken of those on stage: 3</div><div>Reactions to one of the pictures I posted either by me or someone who reposted it: 20</div><div><br /></div><div>Air pressure in PSI in right rear tire at 7:40 AM after warning light appeared on dash: 25</div><div>Length in inches of metal trailer hitch pin found by Discount Tire employee embedded in that tire: 2.5</div><div>Total time there in minutes leaving with repaired tire at no cost: 35</div><div>Streak of consecutive years playing disc golf on Marscon Saturday morning stopped since the area course had too much snow to play: 6</div><div>Total table 27 merch sales made through installed app on my tablet which was used as backup to main one: 12</div><div>15 second videos taken of Klingon Pop Warrior who as explained by name sings popular songs in Klingon: 3</div><div>Characters on screen who interacted with Steve Goodie during his performance: 3</div><div>People who wanted Robbie Ellis CD immediately after his entertaining performance ended: 10</div><div>Others who pre paid for Luke Ski's new CD thinking they were not going to make the trip this year and wanted him to have the money ahead of time to help cover the initial cost of making them: 0</div><div>Performers GOH Bonnie Gordon joined on stage to do song she did with them: 2</div><div>Projects Bonnie Gordon did that I was unaware she had done: 2</div><div>Party rooms on 11th floor which an adult beverage was acquired in attempt to remove enough inhibition to perform "song" in Space Oddity room since the attempt to turn my idea into a dumb parody morphed into a 12 line filk song: 5</div><div>Total minutes they were consumed: 30</div><div>Number of Mario Kart races played drunk (which was the theme of that party): 2</div><div>Seconds in first game from go to realizing R3 and not R2 was the gas: 10</div><div>Actual main stage performers with equipment who were jamming in Space Oddity by the time I had courage to try my song making me realize the opportunity was lost: 6</div><div>Number of sci Fi/fandom conventions Robbie Ellis and his wife attended before Marscon: 0</div><div><br /></div><div>People confused Sunday morning with my reasoning behind betting the Cubs to win the 2015 National League Championship based on Back to the Future 2: 4</div><div>People who made table 27 purchase in the 45 minutes before first Sunday concert started: 5</div><div>Acts on Sunday morning before Dumb Parody ideas: 3</div><div>Participants in DPI: 15</div><div>Finalists: 11</div><div>References to other parodies performed in contest by winning entry: 12</div><div>Acts who finished music track with cover: 10</div><div>Tom Lehrer covers which will be part of an upcoming CD featuring covers of his material: 2</div><div>Generations from one family performing together on stage for one number: 3</div><div>Classic comedy songs I knew would be performed as the artist died within the week before the convention: 2</div><div>People dressed in the costume from the Fish Heads video for the finale: 13</div><div><br /></div><div>Temp leaving hotel: 0°C</div><div>Minutes to drive first 69 miles to Menomonee Speedway station: 60</div><div>Minutes to get back on I-94 waiting for overturned pickup truck in ditch half mile past exit to be removed: 55</div><div>Miles past Millston rest area where contents from previous night's 11th floor experience were expurged to exiting snow covered highway realizing it was best to get a hotel: 45</div><div>Team when arriving at hotel: -4°C</div><div>Time from hotel to hotel: 4hr, 30 min</div><div>Miles covered: 197</div><div><br /></div><div>Time first awake on Monday with plan to go to work after hotel breakfast: 5AM</div><div>Time actually getting out of bed on Monday: 730</div><div>Temp leaving hotel: -5°C</div><div>Places in Wisconsin Dells would have seriously considered stopping if I was 15 years younger: 3</div><div>Time for 197 miles from hotel to home: 3hr 30 min</div><div>Temp at home: 0°C</div><div>Number of times after talking with Robbie Ellis thought it might have been funny to show him that my phone is set to centigrade: 4</div><div><br /></div><div>Purchases made from dealer room: 1</div><div>CDs purchased by those who performed: 5</div><div>Of those people who currently or have lived in Illinois: 4</div><div>Attendees now known by different first name compared to when I met then first: 3</div><div>Others there who live in the expanded Chicagoland metropolitan area: 10</div><div>Of those how many I had seen in person within the 360 days between Marscon 2022 & 2023: 1</div><div>Though no candy bars were consumed, number of places eaten that serve food considered unhealthy: 10</div><div><br /></div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-41652871644153514102023-01-07T16:53:00.003-08:002023-01-08T10:02:42.877-08:00Birdie recap 2022When one keep stats on specific holes birdied, can produce this:<div><br /></div><div>Different holes birdied: 236</div><div><br /></div><div>Of those:</div><div><br /></div><div>Birdied by more than one disc: 73 (Disc attributed to birdie)</div><div>Birdied for first time in 2022: 76</div><div>On a new perm hole and or tee in 2022: 18</div><div>Temp hole: 13</div><div>Hole replaced or pulled in 2022: 17</div><div>Par 4 (by a MA55 player): 9</div><div>Par 5 (by a MA55 player): 1</div><div>First birdie with a disc obtained in 2022: 20</div><div>First birdie with a disc lost in 2022: 9</div><div>A 75 minute (or further) drive from my house: 31</div><div>In Minnesota: 6</div><div>In Indiana: 3</div><div>In Michigan: 2</div><div>By throwing a roller off the tee: 5</div><div>By throwing a disc in the basket with a non putting throw: 2</div><div>Hitting metal either pole, cage, chains, or top band on first shot: 10</div><div>Aces: 0</div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-28355011783125759622022-12-29T15:12:00.004-08:002022-12-29T15:24:25.409-08:002022 recap<p>Since I will be working on Dec 31 and not playing a one round event, my season ended in November.</p><p>Here is a chart listing the 41 total rated rounds:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm5rNHdq6DS1RUwoyqOm9RMDFKj-_ON_Pj0tn3gDGAcn_sOh63rChY313RLu-rZfP2saVLdN-WrvrK_tr-46NU2blFlEHxwvXp1zfv-jL2wf4Y6lM0KJxVN5EAytu3MPE71ffdNpdblGCsfFPWYr4glJRlOjkxJfWYkNira0DeMlrM5dUCHBlvDbe/s960/FB_IMG_1672354742184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="960" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm5rNHdq6DS1RUwoyqOm9RMDFKj-_ON_Pj0tn3gDGAcn_sOh63rChY313RLu-rZfP2saVLdN-WrvrK_tr-46NU2blFlEHxwvXp1zfv-jL2wf4Y6lM0KJxVN5EAytu3MPE71ffdNpdblGCsfFPWYr4glJRlOjkxJfWYkNira0DeMlrM5dUCHBlvDbe/s320/FB_IMG_1672354742184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The higher the par rating, the more difficult the round played. There were multiple times where a course played 3-4 shots more difficult due to weather be it high winds, rain, or cold. <div><br /></div><div>Just like 2021, my highest rated round was in October at 50 Acre in bad weather. The lowest rated round (and lowest in 5 years) started 15 hours after walking a round at Sunset Hills (which caused me to respect the FPO players who do that) followed by players dinner and fly mart the fifth day in a row playing and my legs had nothing.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I was surprised to realize that only 20 of the 41 rounds had a par rating over 900. It felt like due to weather and playing Worlds, it would be higher.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Second chart shows by hole:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmSZAMmmmUY9JrAHoNxppygsbLJwL2dDZkq7AjkWIN3BwBHSZzjvCYUTfFBrXX3HrxE7GhSNWiqzGOagEsQJLLB0cDCzKzVBTg7j9k86nUFvB2iWhzgAXB8VYgMLDwWgJN7PPfmnYGF8iWBd4-daPf7Odg6dWneb_JQ_HVJnimDo6w52CQbD0Hrz/s1080/FB_IMG_1672354751828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1080" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmSZAMmmmUY9JrAHoNxppygsbLJwL2dDZkq7AjkWIN3BwBHSZzjvCYUTfFBrXX3HrxE7GhSNWiqzGOagEsQJLLB0cDCzKzVBTg7j9k86nUFvB2iWhzgAXB8VYgMLDwWgJN7PPfmnYGF8iWBd4-daPf7Odg6dWneb_JQ_HVJnimDo6w52CQbD0Hrz/s320/FB_IMG_1672354751828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mixed layout in Round Lake as well as multiple layouts at Dellwood skip some hole numbers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike the par ratings which went by what was listed on the site, the birdies listed are from the point of view of a MA55 player as opposed to someone significantly better than me.<br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-67290552609560720572022-12-23T13:02:00.000-08:002022-12-23T13:02:26.350-08:00An open letter to Spotify<p>I appreciate that the muffled lyrics sung by the eight-year-old cartoon character wearing an orange hoodie were listed along with those by a piece of talking poop in a song about Mary but I wish to register a complaint.</p><p>I had to pull my car over along the expressway to check my phone since that song was followed by Holly Jolly Christmas thinking it was added to my play list in error only to discover it was recommended by the app itself. Though I appreciate suggestions, only want them seen when searching for more songs. </p><p>When driving this time of year, want to hear songs from an English Python member, two east coast people, or three originally from Kingston, Ontario, Canada that share my point of view as well as December songs about John McClane, cooking done of chipmunks or by a senile woman, a father getting sick during dinner, a thong, pegging, crescent city residents going on a slay ride, Santa doing a similar thing at the North Pole, a world run by robot overlords, or a medley of songs mocking the warped point of view taken in late 2016 by people who eventually supported the man that attempted to overthrow the US turning it into a fascist theocracy, the title initially inspired by my desire to create a parody of a Bing Crosby song from the point of view of the man who shoehorned a Lincoln's birthday celebration into a movie so he could perform in blackface.</p><p>I NEVER want to hear a happy song from Burl fucking Ives.</p><p><br /></p><p>Scoring: One point for every song referenced that is on my December Spotify playlist with an additional point if you read the end of the first line in the voice of John Cleese.</p><p><br /></p><p>0 points: You are likely normal and possibly a 2022 inductee into the Illinois Disc Golf Hall of Fame.</p><p>1-3 points: You are likely a current or former coworker of mine who had to listen to my babble or sharing of music.</p><p>4-6 points: You likely know almost or all the songs but the clues are not clear enough to figure out.</p><p>7+ points: Thank you for putting up with me.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-51616209577011120762022-11-12T17:30:00.006-08:002022-11-13T03:47:41.710-08:00The dreams we had<p>After today's 13th straight day of work, headed to Dellwood for a flex round event. As I got out of the car, realized between physical fatigue, the spasms in my left leg initially caused by aggravating six weeks prior the same injury to my left IT band half a lifetime ago, three walks down hills including one on the final hole where there was a three card wait, playing the event would not be feasible especially registered for one the next day.</p><p>I said hi to multiple people there, purchased a disc offered by the person running the event, and limped off towards my car holding back tears while forcing myself to leave. Though it would be nice to add to the stats, recently realized there has always been more to why I put myself through the pain, frustration, and aggravation by doing something most consider fun.</p><p>Though living past 25 was not expected as a kid, there was wonder on what would happen if I survived. Most of those dreams were never realized due to many reasons but one is still going. There was always a desire to play sport which thanks to disc golf, can do.</p><p>When I can't play, feel like a complete failure. Some of the things done in the past have compensated for it but now in 2022, realized they are no longer plausible. Still know the idea of not being alone would not be fair to anyone whom I would be with. Have declined opportunity to ask someone out not wanting to put her through me. Know that I can't clean up and head to Windycon to party which for years is where I celebrated my birthday as I am too tired to even make it to the point where parties would be open.</p><p>This year will involve one last tournament to close the season. Last year before the plan of taking a four day weekend playing courses in Peoria and Northwood Black on my birthday ended up with work, that plan was a birthday tournament out of state.</p><p>Though I upset the 15 year old version of me earlier this week by not basing my votes on race, sex, or fully functional limbs but by who is less likely to endorse or be endorsed by the person who attempted to overthrow the country and turn it into a fascist theocracy, still feel obligated to find a way to get my body out there and play the event.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-78125405536325173482022-10-17T14:28:00.003-07:002022-10-17T14:28:21.621-07:00The $35,000 putt<p>Thanks to multiple non disc golf sponsorships, two professionals received a check for $35,000 each setting a new record for earnings in a year.</p><p>Though I disagree with the FPO pay scale at the top being equal since there were fewer players, the MPO finish is what inspired the post.</p><p>People were stating that the winning playoff putt by Ricky Wysocki was worth $35,000 but in reality, it wasn't. Here is how and when the $35,000 was earned:</p><p>$5,500: Feb 24 through Sep 25: earned by finishing among the top four in points for the season earning a bye into the semi finals of the tour championship. (Someone who disagrees with my post would mention Ricky finished first but no matter the placing, all from 1st through 4th were guaranteed that amount and had they failed to advance to the finals, that would be their pay.)</p><p>Before the DGPT was established, there were bonus dollars paid to highest overall players for the series events so that is what I equate to this.</p><p>$3,500: Oct 15: The four with the highest scores in the semi finals were guaranteed $9,000 so once Ricky was in the top 4, that is what he earned.</p><p>$5,000: Oct 16 hole 17: Once Paul McBeth failed to make the putt for a 3, he was assured of finishing worse than Ricky and that made the $14,000 third place the minimum.</p><p>$3,000: Oct 16 hole 18 fairway: After Buhr's roller went OB, the worst Ricky would finish is tied for second earning total of $17,000</p><p>$3,000: Oct 16 hole 18 green: Ricky needed to make a 28 foot putt to force a playoff. By doing do, he guaranteed $20,000 total.</p><p>$15,000: Oct 16 hole 18 playoff: When Ricky's second shot on the difficult par 4 finished 35 feet away practically on the same line as the previous putt, there was no doubt it was going in.</p><p>Though the prize and 2022 total earnings were the largest ever in the sport, they will likely be surpassed in the future and ten years from now people will remember 2022 more McBeth's sixth world's title, Buhr's first major, or the amazing season Tattar had.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-10668091258029951982022-08-09T21:49:00.000-07:002022-08-09T21:49:00.193-07:00Accepting the challenge <p>Unlike previous years, the 2022 club challenge was weird to everyone and not just me. Once it was announced that due to a scoring error that was discovered a couple days ago, the club I participated in was declared the winner for the 2021 event. Had the error not happened, I would have not been able to enjoy the win since I was in the ER finding out that I would have needed to wait two hours to get the bee stinger taken out of my leg.</p><p>Weather was the weird issue this year as it was necessary to halt play due to storms. Between that and one new hole causing a massive delay, the event needed to be shortened to one round. Since I finally played a satisfactory round in the event and knowing others from my club did well, was hoping that my club would win so I can hold the trophy and like Ray Borque finish with a win.</p><p>Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. What surprised me was how the event was lost. The two best players there who represented the second place club significantly underperformed in their round and had they shot their rating and not 10 shots worse combined than expected, their club would have won easily.</p><p>After watching some US players fail in the 1976 Olympic games, told people those athletes should apologize for their performance and then was asked if I would have done the same thing in their situation. My answer was definitely and for decades have been told by teammates that my apologies made towards them for poor performances were unnecessary. </p><p>Tonight watched coverage one of those two from last weekend play even with one of the best disc golfers in the world who a week later refered to that person as a legend. Commentary also stated about his positive attitude towards play even after bad shots.</p><p>I look at my left arm with two bruises knowing why they are there.</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-22159488279167968112022-07-21T15:09:00.001-07:002022-07-21T15:10:06.205-07:00Failing to deliverThough I wanted to take a more active role in volunteering at last year's Clash at the Canyons, my physical situation meant that it was best for me to be stationed at the stairs of course #16, Clash #3, making sure only players descended the stairs.<div><br /></div><div>All Sunday, I thanked everyone for making the trip to Dellwood and got interesting replies by pros but the one made on the final group hit me hard as it was insulting.</div><div><br /></div><div>While driving home tired and hungry decided to get myself to the point where I could justify playing MP50 in 2022 and then run into that player either in practice or at the tournament. The afternoon before the 2022 event, I am sitting on my chair with the alarm set for 3AM for work writing this finally feeling normal again after last week's Masters World's as opposed to getting ready for a Friday tee time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Between failures of physical, game, and food, am not worthy of playing. Even if I took the recently opened last MP50+ spot, I would likely withdraw since it would not be fair to those in my group to deal with someone unqualified to play in the event. When I played my worst round in 7 years last Wednesday, I apologized for how poorly I played and even asked those at the Discraft booth if they wanted their hat back since I wore it for the round.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the past I have stated it is wrong to expect certain results when the effort to get them is not made and that applies to me. It was humbling one week ago at this time making the "walk of shame" to get my disc out of the pond in front of basket 6 at Sunset Hills with my retriever especially walking past two local MA55+ players in the chase card waiting to play #12.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since nothing has really changed in the past 55 weeks, now what? I know physical will improve with food and physical was a big problem last week. Similar to bowling and ball golf, I know many bad shots happen before they are attempted by either stance or the idea for the shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, there has to be more than that. Thanks to lifting weights, can throw the disc farther than I used to but I know it is not enough. If I really want to get better, I need to commit and not just want.</div><div><br /></div><div>A visiting pro has offered to give one hour lessons and though not sure how much he can help an obese arthritic 56 year old man but it makes sense for someone who spent well over a thousand dollars to play a major tournament to spend $60 to see what he can do.</div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-87704079788812930952022-07-19T18:27:00.008-07:002022-07-21T13:19:26.461-07:00Worlds balance by the numbers<p>Tee shots in fairway round 2: 3</p><p>Distance drive on #3 rolled back down hill: 80</p><p>Pars on front 9: 1</p><p>Years since playing a round with a worse rating: 7</p><p>Positions dropped: 26</p><p>Holes played at Meddigo in fading twilight: 3</p><p>Holes birdied there: 2</p><p>Homes on drive to Sunset Hills displaying a flag supporting the person who on Jan 6, 2021 sent a group of people to the Capitol building in an attempt to overthrow the confirmation of a lost election: 4</p><p>Shots thrown off #4 tee at Sunset Hills with expendable disc: 3</p><p>Total distance cleared water with first two in inches: 18</p><p>Distance drive in third round from basket in feet: 12</p><p>Score in round 3 after five holes: -2</p><p>Total penalty shots taken last 13 holes: 5</p><p>Score in round 3 last 13 holes: +13</p><p>Discs hitting top of wall of pond on #6 then falling back in: 2</p><p>Total round 3 strokes lost due to making the correct shot but with the wrong disc: 8</p><p>Minutes after round at the pond on #6 retrieving discs: 90</p><p>Total discs recovered (including the one of mine I wanted to get back): 10</p><p>Holes played in round 4 while it was raining: 15</p><p>Successful round 4 rollers thrown off tee: 3</p><p>Distance of birdie throw in on #7: 60</p><p>Total drives missed badly left with Buzzz SS before not using it: 6</p><p>Shots missed the cut: 18</p><p>Shots out of first after four rounds: 47</p><p>Shots behind winner in second place finish at two round event in March: 13</p><p>More shots taken this week to same person who won the MA50+ title: 50</p><p>Final position out of 69: 54</p><p>Total shots thrown worse than rating: 5</p><p>Times almost going down due to sloppy conditions caddying afternoon round at McNaughton: 5</p><p>Days after final round ended having enough energy to write this post: 4</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-16403024720302986662022-07-13T06:00:00.002-07:002022-08-09T21:27:06.077-07:00World's day one by the numbersTime at Lake Eureka property: 745AM<div>Holes on temp course taking picture: 5</div><div>Players seen throwing their first shot of event: 11</div><div>Employees at Cracker Barrel who did not know the event was Tue-Sat and not Thu-Sun which is what the tour event is: 3</div><div>Minutes before 230 tee time I arrived at Sunset Hills: 90</div><div>Groups I watched tee off before mine: 4</div><div>Shots thrown with putter on #1 leading to bad double bogey: 4</div><div>Inches past OB line with "water disc" on #4: 6</div><div>Inches on wrong side of OB line with that disc on #6: 4</div><div>Times course marshal was able to clarify where OB is causing me to throw a different shot than planned: 2</div><div>Badly pulled shots with G star Shrike on back nine each causing me to lose a shot: 4</div><div>Times I threw a different disc not trusting that one: 2</div><div>Times I should have thrown a different disc instead of trying to make that one work: 2</div><div>Total shots from group made from beyond 10 meters: 5</div><div>People watching group finish on #18: 12</div><div>Shots better than rating: 3.5</div><div>Place out of 69: t31</div><div>Chicago area ams in top 4 in their division: 3</div><div>Extra shirts with event name at Fly Mart available for sale: 50</div><div>Those in 3XL: 0</div>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215301315223116361.post-74176896695266356782022-07-11T20:11:00.005-07:002022-07-21T13:22:14.994-07:00Pre worlds by the numbers<p>Miles driven Sunday for IL States round two, back home, back for IL Hall of Fame ceremony, to Northwood Park to practice a bit, and to hotel: 240</p><p>Circle K gas stations seen in Morton as my attempt to take a faster route to the hotel was blocked by construction: 3</p><p>Shots better on Sunday than my previous best round at Highland: 3</p><p>Shots on Sunday worse than two best scores in my division: 3</p><p>Times during round 2 of IL States I was extremely careful descending cliff to play a shot that went long: 2</p><p>Rounds played with one of the new IL disc golf hall of fame inductees at Lombard Commons a few years ago without realizing who he was: 4</p><p>Others in attendance wearing clothing representing club for other inductee: 2</p><p>Holes played on the high side of Northwood Park blue not wanting to deal with hills: 5</p><p>Holes trying roller off tee taking advice of MP60 player: 3</p><p>Holes birdied using roller off a tee: 1</p><p>Different recorded holes now birdied sat that time according to my Excel file: 555</p><p>Other holes birdied using a roller off the tee: 0</p><p>Distance in feet a FJ15 player who plans to be in the final 4 on Saturday afternoon threw drive past mine: 40</p><p>Other junior players seen in the hour at Northwood Blue practicing for their potential final nine there: 3</p><p>Years since I was last in a swimming pool: 6</p><p>Strokes swam before cramp in both legs: 2</p><p>MA55 players currently in division: 69</p><p>MA55 players I have played on a card with that I remember: 7</p><p>MA50, MA60, MA65, and MA70 players I remember playing in a foursome with: 1 each </p><p>Seconds out of the 150 on hotel waffle machine one was cooking before realizing the batter is cinnamon flavored and I will have to throw it away: 125</p><p>Discs in player pack: 6</p><p>Size specific items that had to be given from boxes for player pack: 3</p><p>Other items that will definitely be used: 2</p><p>Items unlikely to use: 3</p><p>Dollars to play Sunset Hills practice round: 5</p><p>Dollars for ball golf cart rental: 11</p><p>Dollars "offered" to the TD at player meeting to allow golf carts to be used since that course is extremely difficult to walk: 40</p><p>Penalty shots taken during round: 5</p><p>Times a "water disc" was thrown: 4</p><p>Times a "water disc" got wet: 1</p><p>Discs successfully retrieved from water hazard: 3</p><p>Times within 20 meters for a birdie shot: 4</p><p>Extra discs added to bag for round one to be used on a shot that might be lost: 4</p><p>Nations that have a player at the event: 15</p><p>Chicago area players met at ceremony/player meeting: 5</p><p>Number of times running into same FP40 player from Denmark in 24 hours: 3</p><p>Number of groups that will play Sunset Hills for round one: 37</p><p>Number of groups that will play Sunset Hills in round one before me: 36</p><p>Total players in Masters Worlds: 808</p><p>Total players on the 8 courses used on Tuesday whose tee time is later than mine: 4</p>madman on the loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737942779063637970noreply@blogger.com0