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.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
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.
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