Pre worlds by the numbers

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

Circle K gas stations seen in Morton as my attempt to take a faster route to the hotel was blocked by construction: 3

Shots better on Sunday than my previous best round at Highland: 3

Shots on Sunday worse than two best scores in my division: 3

Times during round 2 of IL States I was extremely careful descending cliff to play a shot that went long: 2

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

Others in attendance wearing clothing representing club for other inductee: 2

Holes played on the high side of Northwood Park blue not wanting to deal with hills: 5

Holes trying roller off tee taking advice of MP60 player: 3

Holes birdied using roller off a tee: 1

Different recorded holes now birdied sat that time according to my Excel file: 555

Other holes birdied using a roller off the tee: 0

Distance in feet a FJ15 player who plans to be in the final 4 on Saturday afternoon threw drive past mine: 40

Other junior players seen in the hour at Northwood Blue practicing for their potential final nine there: 3

Years since I was last in a swimming pool: 6

Strokes swam before cramp in both legs: 2

MA55 players currently in division: 69

MA55 players I have played on a card with that I remember: 7

MA50, MA60, MA65, and MA70 players I remember playing in a foursome with: 1 each 

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

Discs in player pack: 6

Size specific items that had to be given from boxes for player pack: 3

Other items that will definitely be used: 2

Items unlikely to use: 3

Dollars to play Sunset Hills practice round: 5

Dollars for ball golf cart rental: 11

Dollars "offered" to the TD at player meeting to allow golf carts to be used since that course is extremely difficult to walk: 40

Penalty shots taken during round: 5

Times a "water disc" was thrown: 4

Times a "water disc" got wet: 1

Discs successfully retrieved from water hazard: 3

Times within 20 meters for a birdie shot: 4

Extra discs added to bag for round one to be used on a shot that might be lost: 4

Nations that have a player at the event: 15

Chicago area players met at ceremony/player meeting: 5

Number of times running into same FP40 player from Denmark in 24 hours: 3

Number of groups that will play Sunset Hills for round one: 37

Number of groups that will play Sunset Hills in round one before me: 36

Total players in Masters Worlds: 808

Total players on the 8 courses used on Tuesday whose tee time is later than mine: 4

Recapturing the Joy

 To better understand this post, read this past entry: 

https://notnormalworld.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-price-of-joy.html

What follows began the morning after the night where the pain and exhaustion from the dislocated kneecap and the 2019 Worlds left me at the point where the only reason I did not consume all the pain medication I had with me was being physically unable to get out of bed to get to it.

As normal woke up just as sunrise was breaking. As I rolled over to check my phone for the time, felt a pop in my right knee along with the rush of fluid that occasionally comes with it. Was relieved and annoyed that it was the right knee popping back into place. Though physically tired, the normal things one needs to do became less difficult.

As I ate the hotel breakfast (which was much nicer than the one at the previous hotel where someone got shot earlier that week), was contemplating what happened. That is when the decision was made to find a way to get back to Worlds and this time have a performance worthy of the event.

Later that year, the play got better and on Thanksgiving weekend, won my first tournament featuring a field that consisted of more than one group.

Having decided to put down the controller in and pick up a barbel in 2020 showed with 10% extra distance and by year end, the rating was at a personal high point and 2021 started with a win.

One bad step on a rainy day in May eventually led to a frustrating balance of 2021 where round two was always worse usually due to physical issues. Multiple times (2 back, 2 right knee, 1 bee sting, 2 physically exhausted) round 2 should have not been completed and twice (toe and groin) round one should have never even played. The season ended a few weeks early due to a non disc golf leg injury which could have been far worse than it was. Unfortunately, poor eating habits developed from that and combined with stress of work shows on the scale.

2022 for the most part was a continuation of physical frustration. The elbow and large knee braces purchased have been used this year and one event needed the large one repaired.

Somehow, on an easy version of a course a month ago was able to play smart enough and make enough shots and putts to finish a surprising 3rd out of 17 in a B tier with the 5th best lifetime rated round.

Later today will be checking into 2022 Worlds near Peoria, IL. When the email about the event arrived three weeks ago, my "Christmas season" began and life sucked less than normal. When one spends the majority of the three years since the previous "Christmas" miserable, the happiness that balances it over a short time frame is amazing and no doubt will continue until the lack of ability and physical competency starts to show on the course. As I pulled into the course yesterday where the 36 world champions will be awarded on the following Saturday seeing all the signage, the tears of joy returned.

This week's goal is to appreciate the event more while it is happening since the pain, discomfort, and performance made the 2019 event almost literally become a march towards my death through the rocky hills of south central Pennsylvania.

Eligibility again

I was among the many who wanted Chicago area player Barrett White to win her 10th major championship in last weekend's US Women's Disc Golf event but my reason was different.

I wanted a Chicago resident whose kind words in November 2019 during warmup for round two turned out to be the key to me winning the event by six shots to win. Others wanted her top two competitors to not win claiming they were not eligible for the F part. The 4 shot lead going into the final round turned into a 14 shot win and I was among those who agree she is one of the greatest masters disc golfers in history and not just a midwest legend.

Today, I got a FB message request from someone who wanted me to vote for two people running for the board of directors for the sole purpose of "saving women's disc golf". I thanked him for the info but didn't tell him that I now know for who to NOT vote.

Though conflicted after seeing players with MA1 and MA2 physical ability and the swimming policy chance stating puberty defines gender for life but realize that no one is going to go through what it takes to be eligible for the sole purpose of winning a few hundred dollars.

The desire for a theocracy

Thanks in part to certain people who voted in 2016 for someone who promised to repeal Roe vs Wade, six out of a group of nine have done so.

That and follow up ideas people are wanting to pursue are based on ideas presented in a book written centuries ago that demand heterosexual monogamy and producing as many children as possible to prevent the small tribes that existed back then from dying out or suffering inbreeding.

When my failed future presented by me in the story was about my actions inspiring a movement which created a theocracy in the US, I was imagining a scenario that would never seen attempted.

When discussing the SCOTUS decision with my mom today, she was very upset especially that her two daughters and multiple nieces and nephews were among those whose vote in 2016 was solely determined by the desire to repeal Roe vs Wade. She has a very good reason.

Shortly after my mom married in 1964, she got pregnant with twins. Potentially due to misunderstanding the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, it got to the point where in 5 months, her life was in danger and it was determined the best course of action was to medically induce labor and deliver the twins who died within a day.

There are laws in some states that would today charge my mom and her doctor with murder for this. According to those laws, she would be required to carry the fetuses until they were "naturally" born or until she died or be subject to arrest otherwise.

I am aware that her scenario might not have happened in 2022 but there are still pregnancies that fail due to no fault of the mother and pregnancies where it can be determined that the fetus would produce a child that would likely be unable to function as an adult. 

The same former friend who told me he was longer allowed to associate with me since I failed to "accept the love and eternal salvation provided by the sacrifice made by the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" decided to allow his wife to give birth to someone who is unlikely to be able to take care of herself as an adult. Earlier this week, he passed away and I have no idea what will happen to his family.

My one sister who has a daughter in her late 20s had her thoughts changed by being presented a scenario where a pregnancy from a rape could force her to possibly be the grandmother of a black child.

There are proposed laws that would also remove contraception, non hetero marriages, and potentially mixed race marriages. I am hoping there are enough people to realize that to advance as a nation, we can't go back to ideals from generations past but evolve.

Eligibility part 3

Waking up at 430 AM last Sunday had the opportunity to watch edited round two coverage of the lead card at the FPO elite series disc golf pro tour event.

Though interested in watching the best FPO player in the world handle the new layout, was most interested in the second place player whose previous recent finish inspired a group that wants to "save women's disc golf" to solicit donations to compensate every player who lost earnings claiming that she should not be allowed in FPO because she was born male ignoring the ruling made by an international sports organization which allows transgender athletes to compete under specific conditions.

Though not 100% positive that I never saw her play before but the game I saw of hers was not an FPO player but an MA1 one. It is possible knowing her circumstances influenced my observation but compared to the three card mates, there was a definite difference in how powerful the disc was released even compared to the best FPO player in the world (and arguably all time).

After reeling off five straight birdies on the back nine in the third and final round, the transgender player was tied with the best player in the world with two holes to go eight shots clear of the rest of the field. Double bogeys on the final two holes caused her to finish second by 4 shots still 4 shots clear of the rest of the field.

People in discussion groups were expressing their displeasure (losing their shit) especially while the six shot final round defeceit was erased. Many comments about the coverage all weekend were using dead name pronouns while stating the player should not be allowed in FPO with suggestions of TPO and APO (alt pro open for anyone female who isn't hetero monogamous). One good point made was stating that no trans man has ever succeeded in sport.

The fact there is a part three of this topic shows internal conflict about this situation. Unless it is a deliberate attempt to gain FPO eligibility as opposed to wanting to be female and the eligibility guidelines are continuously met, will support trans FPO players.

I do wonder if the guidelines need to be adjusted.

Returning for Christmas

Though Marscon for many years was what I considered Christmas, it is no longer the case. Though I finally was able to go this year for the first time in 6 years, with COVID and its restrictions there was about 60% of normal attendence and instead of MARSCON!!!, it was Marscon. Nice to be there but the vibe which caused all caps just wasn't there.

Following 35 anxious seconds this week waiting for a busy website after making sure I did not fall asleep before 930 at night the first week back on first shift, I am registered for the 2022 PDGA Masters World Championship held in Peoria, IL this July. After my experience in 2019 was memorable for the pain from a dislocated knee that a doctor wrote a note excusing the week off from work, really want to go back to a worlds.

Will need to reserve a hotel from Sunday through Thursday nights likely heading home after my fourth round on Friday through the event will end  the Saturday after and not because I have VIP tickets for Weird Al on Saturday.

Only the top 40% of players will be playing on Saturday. Though I am good enough to justify travelling about 150 miles to play, making the cut is unlikely. The average rating to make the cut in 2021 was 914 and only five of my 50 rated rounds played in 21/22 were rated at least that high and all of them were on courses far easier than the two being played in my division in the event.

Of the 76 registered players in my division, my rating is currently 63rd. Five players have a rating higher than my highest lifetime rated round. Many in that division are simply better than me.

Some call that a defeatist attitude. I call it a realistic one but would be very happy if I would need to scramble to find a place to stay that Friday then drive back to Chicago for the concert. I would not mind if that made the planned upcoming project not valid as well.

It's time for number one ... on stage

At the end of 1974, Dr. Demento had his first syndication end of year most requested song countdown incorporating the same feature used in the separate LA radio version of the show and with the exception of 1977, has done it every year including the on line paid streaming version of the show which is currently still being done every weekend and can be heard at www.drdemento.com

Since the song Dead Puppies was #1 in both 1982 and 1983, 46 different tracks have finished the year as the #1 most requested song. At last year's FuMPFeST, there was a time slot dedicated to those #1 songs that appeared on the FuMP, whose artists which posted songs to the site had a 16 year streak of having the #1 song of the year (including the five years before the FuMP was launched in 2007).

To my surprise it took almost eight months for me to wonder how many Dr. Demento #1 songs of the year I have seen live and thanks to the www.dmdb.org site, I was able to in a few days compile this chart.

Unlike the post about seeing Grease Wars performed, it has been too many years to try to count the times seeing those three Luke Ski songs live.

The partials are Weird Al performing a verse/chorus of multiple songs during his shows, Frantics member Peter Wildman doing the Boot To the Head song, and for Spiderverses, three of the seven who did a verse were live while the other verses were shown from the video.

It is possible that Weird Al will do the Hamilton Polka (2018 #1 song) on his tour I will see this summer and that I could see Knuckleheadz do their 2021 #1 song Pee in My Pants. Not optimistic about seeing Lemon Demon (2006 The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny) or any others and who knows about the future.

While doing this, realized how fortunate I am to have seen so many awesome songs performed by so many awesome and talented people and I want to thank them as well as Dr. Demento for all he has done since I likely would not have experienced much of this without him.