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.

Eligibility revisited

It was a surprise to see the top female disc golfer in the world participate in a local event in Alabama in January on a course she didn't play before the event and after one round was one shot behind someone whom I never heard of before but could tell was a real good player. Later that day found out the person transitioned a few years before and in an interview following round two, the top player in the world who was able to play better in round two and win by four shots stated she made the trip to play there in support of the transitioned player whose entry caused multiple other female pro players to withdraw from the event or change divisions.

Shortly before the Disc Golf Pro Tour series began, the Professional Disc Golf Association stated they are following the international sports guidelines for determining eligibility of transitioned female players and reading those guidelines realized no one could just "declare themselves female" and compete in divisions restricted to them. There were some replies to the statement disagreeing with the PDGA stating the M in divisions stands for mixed and that is where transitioned players belong.

The transitioned player has competed in two DGPT events finishing 41st out of 48 in an elite series one and 21st out of 38th (one shot short of cashing) in a silver series event.

Last Sunday had a situation where I could not form an accurate and immediate response. Someone who has likely watched as much women's sports as I do was exceptionally upset about the number of transitioned athletes winning local and high school events around the US. Due to the circumstances involved did not want to create a scene and knowing I can write better than I speak, leaving the response here:

It is logical to believe the difference between men's and women's athletic ability is related to the difference in the reproductive organs and that should be the only factor in determining eligibility for female restricted sport events.

It is also unfair for anyone to misrepresent themselves or their ability in order to participate in an event they would otherwise be ineligible.

I admit that I am not an expert in genetics or biology and don't understand the findings or explanation of how a person born male can be declared medically eligible to play as a female. However, similar to those who deal with infectious disease, it makes sense to trust the opinions and findings made by those who are considered experts in their field.

Unlike how it has been depicted in movies and on TV, people don't transition so they can win a specific event but because that is who they believe they are. I also hope those athletes have followed the guidelines set and are medically eligible to participate.

Also the idea of declaring a separate division for trans people is ignorant nonsense and the word you were trying to find to describe divisions exclusively for those with female reproductive organs would be "breeders".

Marscon 2022 by the numbers

Days before event confirmed I would be able to attend: 3

Vacation days used to attend in 2004-05/2006-2012/2013-2016: 2/6/10

Vacation days able to take in 2022: 1

Days between previous vacation day and that Friday that were not spent in a hotel emergency room: 203

Hours between home from work Thursday and planning to leave Friday: 9 1/2

Minutes spent Friday morning trying to convince daughter to "call in sick" to work and go with me: 30

Times on way there stopped at place where "dementia fun bus" would stop: 2

Professional Disc Golf Association major championships won by Barry Schultz whose round at Wakanda Park in Menomonie (do-do-do-do-do), WI in May 2007 was his second highest rated round in 30 years: 15

People I know who also played in that event: 2

Holes played there played as the weather, high winds, and snow/ice made playing the whole course dangerous: 1

People at the Arby's in Menomonie (do-do-do-do-do) who looked at me in various levels of disgust after I played Ross Childs video singing "Menomonie, do-do-do-do-do" then laughing: 8

Decades I showed a similar look to those who made a reference after hearing my last name: 5

Total time from leaving home to arriving at Bloomington Hilton: 8hr, 20min

Wind chill when arriving at hotel: -15°F

Other people who saw picture taken in a hotel hot tub on Thursday and were disappointed to find out that hotel pool is closed: 3 

Years room key card from my previous stay at Marscon was in my wallet before being replaced by 2022 room key: 6

Items on limited hotel restaurant menu whose names were inspired by sci Fi: 7

Minutes between food arriving at table and Luke Ski getting phone call requiring him to head to head to the main stage: 0

Music artists who had items for sale at Table 27: 8

Formats the music could be purchased: 5 (download card, CD, LP, cassette, 8 track)

Books written by "Bad Beth" that were available: 2

Artists performing on Friday: 3

Active parties on floor 11: 3

Temp in Bloomington, MN at 6 AM on Saturday morning: -1°F

Miles from Hilton to Cedarcrest Park: 2.5

Temp on car at 10 AM to play 9 hole short disc golf course there: 8°F

Tees covered by snow and ice forcing me to use app and GPS to find: 7

Tees unsafe due to ice causing the shot from alternate spot to be much more difficult: 1

Baskets completely surrounded by ice causing me to use 16 foot extendable pole to safely get disc: 1

Score on course: 24/ -3

Number of consecutive years playing disc golf on Marscon Saturday when water aerobics would be happening: 6

Number of years playing disc golf on Dec 25: 4

Number of years playing disc golf at Dellwood on Sept 25: 3

Artists who decided to make a long drive to Marscon after hearing they were a Logan Award finalist: 3

Times over weekend someone was singing on stage with a box on their head: 2

Signs used by music GOH TV's Kyle during set: 6

Songs performed from new album L'il Delli released as TV's Kyle got on stage to start their set: 19

Of the 15 Logan Award finalist entries, ones I had heard or seen before the ceremony: 4

Total number of Logan Award finalist appearances by Insane Ian without winning who released a compilation CD of them for the weekend: 13

Percentage of Logan Award finalists in the 11 years that were by Insane Ian: 8.4

Odds of not winning once in those 13 finalists including two for the same category same year: 19.4 - 1

With the win in 2022, number of Logan Awards won the the Boobies, a collaboration of artists creating Beatles parodies about boobs with all proceeds going towards breast cancer research: 2

First year taking a "flippie" of a large Pepsi sign in the Mall of America south food court expressing my unhappiness about their exclusive contract with all restaurants there: 2011

Adult beverages consumed at the limited number of parties no doubt affected by COVID and virus protocols: 0

People who performed "nerdlesque" late Saturday evening: 5

Temp Sunday morning when I returned to Cedarcrest Park to play another nine: 38°F

Score there: 23/ -4

Different holes holes birdied in 2 days: 6

Cans of Coke Zero left in hotel fridge: 3

Age of oldest main stage full show performer when youngest one was born: 47

Number of Luke Ski performed songs that were released before youngest performer was born: 4

Number of photographs of me in the ten minute Marscon through the years picture presentation created by "mom Ski" : 10

Number of entries in Dumb Parody Ideas: 9

Number of entries that surprised the on stage tech assistant by actually providing a background track to their idea: 2

People who ended up eating at MOA north food court after convention making me ponder whether to let boss know I am "having car issues" and won't be back until Tuesday: 14

Safe for 10 year old pictures shown to Alex Ann of her parents at Marscon before she was born: 8

Time passing by Hilton on way home: 7:02PM.

Minutes on drive home when asked by text message to join others for a game in hotel lobby: 111

Wait at Menomonie Speedway for cash register to reboot after accidental scan of QR code instead of UPC code caused it to crash: 4 minutes

Gas mileage from Portage, WI "Tron Skillet" area to Menomonie Speedway: 19.8 mpg

Gas mileage from Menomonie Speedway to Beloit Speedway: 22.4 mph

Difference in gas prices between Speedway location in Beloit, WI and Bensenville, IL: 58 cents

Tracks on Insane Ian CD Illinoise started while crossing border: 17

Time home: 1:22 AM

Hours asked to come in early on Monday after two coworkers called in: 3

Hours from when I got home to heading back to work at regular time: 9 1/4

Hours from when table 27 was closed until final sales report was sent and badge could be officially removed: 29

The end of days

While contemplating mortality and the estimate of my death, realized it is time to write another story. I know it begins the Saturday before my 25th birthday when death is avoided and figured the ending as such:

As the clock approaches 5:30 in the bar, the madman thanks everyone for listening to his story. He expresses regret for those he harmed having learned a long time ago that fixing the past is as futile as trying to get an egg back into the busted shell.

The crowd erupts in pleasure as he offers everyone a shot to drink with him. The madman holds up the glass and proclaims, "Half a lifetime ago, I determined this was the moment I was going to die. However, at this time, I feel well and actually am not in any pain. To 'Now what'.

"Now what", the bar patrons reply.

After putting the glass down, "I AM THE MADMAN AND HAVE ONCE AGAIN CHEATED DEATH! DEAL WITH IT!"

He immediately collapses on the floor as the stunned patrons look in shock. The view changes to a hospital room. On the white board is a note stating the exact same date. There is a loud beep that is turned off and the radio is playing in the background. "Time of death 5:32PM."

A bunch of detectives enter the room and talk to a woman sitting in a chair with a notepad. "Did he say anything about the bodies or the money?"

"For the past couple hours he was babbling incoherently. He then shouted at the top of his lungs then died."

"Thank you for your time."

While they leave the room the DJ starts to speak, "A couple weeks ago we got a letter with a request to play Joy by Apollo 100 at this exact time. So as requested here it is." The music plays while the staff starts to work with the corpse.

The madman on the loose is dead and by one person, the world is a better place.

Season recap

Due to things at my work being busy as well as a physical situation which I am grateful that it happened in mid November and not next June or early July, my 2021 disc golf season ended in early November. Though I could have tried to play a one round event or club round, need to focus on getting better especially since playing or navigating a course could make things worse.

In spite of missing many events due to multiple physical issues suffered in 2021, still played more rated rounds and earned more points than any previous year. Though my highest rated round and two others equalling my previous best round in 2018 were played this year, I have struggled overall.

The color of my rating reflects how difficult I perceived the course I played. I also decided to list the rating for an even par round for all tournament rounds only since league rounds generally have fewer players. I did not think having a hazard penalty apply for make that much a difference but the two most difficult events were on them as well as the Northwoods Park blue course event. Granted consistent wind at Round Lake and severe winds at Kress Creek made the hazard rounds worse. Even with par as I perceive it, the six rounds at 50 Acre played without high winds and driving rain were the easiest.

The rated birdies chart is based on what I believe par is for me and for the Valparaiso event, I used the event hole number as opposed to the course one since there were merged holes. Had I played the Clash pro event, would have done the same thing

Was surprised that #1 produced the most birdies.