"So Long and Thanks for All the Fish"

I have spent the last week at Slugger trying to get my renewals out and tie up any loose ends before my last day next week. Going through files and trying to get a little better organized so it's easier on my former intern when he comes in. I believe my office is holding a farewell/congratulations party for me Monday at Fox & the Hound. Should be fun.

I start at the Jewish Community Center Wednesday. I'm sure I will be nervous (I already am), but I can't wait to get in there and start my new career. There will be a lot to learn and names to remember. I've already started reading about pool maintenance online.

I should have a fun weekend ahead before I get back to the grind next week. Softball tournament starts Thursday night (my first post season pitching debut), Waverly Hills w/Julie on Friday, Halloween party at her friends on Saturday and possibly headed to the UK open practice on Sunday.

As I was Saying...

Don't you just hate it when your interrupted and you forget what you were talking about? So where was I? Oh, that's right...I said I'd be blogging again soon. I don't have long because I'm "piggy-backing" off of someones wi-fi. It says the signal is week, but so far so good. If I get busted by "the man" and locked away, tell my story...

Anyway, I have spent tons of money the last few weeks buying things I need. Small items like a paper towel holder, pots and pans and a crock pot. And big items like a mattress set and laptop computer (which I am using now so you can read this wonderful blog. Please send donations to 937B...). I plan on getting my bed frame in the next week or two. Hopefully a real live wooden one with a headboard. I have an interview Tuesday morning, so I plan on getting to bed at a decent hour. I pretty much need this job so I can pay for all this swag.

The apartment is nice, it's just taking some time to fill up. At least it's not cluttered.

I saw "Zombieland" with my friend Aaron yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoy any movie that makes me laugh while there is blood flying everywhere. So, Mark and Kevin, when you guys can go see it, I'm in.

Though the last few months have been anything but easy, I have had plenty of time to spend with friends, make better friends out of acquaintances and make new friends altogether. I look forward to having some family over soon to see the place. Maybe I'll throw in a few movies to sweeten the deal.

I'll be blogging more now and as soon as I sit down with my camera and figure it out, I'll be able to post pictures (if I take some). I also need to get out and metal detect...so much to do.

Ok...I'm out like Muhammed Ali playing Jenga!

Not Much to Post

Not much to post. Maybe I'm not in the writing mood, but I'm sure it will come around. I had a fun weekend (even though I had to work Saturday). St. Joe's and the festivities afterward were fun. It was nice to hangout with friends and make new ones. Now I am looking forward to dinner tonight with my wonderful family.

Backlog

I have a few stories I would like to share when I get the chance. I will be back blogging soon now that things have settled down a little and we don't have any games until next Friday. So stay tuned!

My Favorite TV Week of the Year

This week of TV is only rivaled by the opening rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The British Open isn't necessarily my favorite major, but it is my favorite to watch. The style of golf, the scenery and the history put it near the top, then the time makes it my clear favorite to watch. I love getting up early and watching golf before work. The weekend usually consists of me getting breakfast early and bringing it back before coverage begins. I then spend the morning propped up on the couch (along with some dozing) and watching The Open.

This post is a little late. The second round is due to tee off in a couple of hours, but here is my off the cuff reaction and picks for the climax of the oldest championship.

It was great to see Tom Watson shoot his lowest opening round in the British Open...and this is a guy who has won it 5 times. At 59 years old, I fully expect Watson to shoot his age tomorrow. It just depends on what hole he'll do it.

Mark Calcavecchia and Mark O'Meara are also nice to see near the top. However, I fully expect to see the cream rise to the top (unless weather becomes severe and then anything can happen). Tiger Woods will be around on Sunday as usual. However, the two players I see as my favorites this year are Steve Stricker and Lee Westwood. I picked them both in my jackpot and have a feeling one of the two guys will be winning their first major. It may even come down to a playoff between the two.

You heard it here first. Happy Open, ya Limeys!

Tuesday Evening Practice

I played out at Polo Fields tonight to get in a little practice. I like Polo Fields ok (especially when it is free), but some of the layout is a little strange and doesn't fit my eye well. Blind tee shots on several holes (including a par 3) make it tough to pick your spots and get a good visual.

As I have been doing, I'm playing from the back tees and playing the ball down to try and prepare for Wednesday. But, as I said before, I plan on doing this from now on. I find it more rewarding. Anyway, I managed to shoot 37-38 for 75. I did double bogey one hole but it was because we got a little goofy and I tried to kill a drive. It subsequently ended up bouncing around on someones deck.

My concerns about Lakeside Wednesday has nothing to do with the length of the course or keeping the ball in play. The course is neither long nor narrow. My main concern is the condition of the course. Rolling the ball would be no problem, but playing it down is a different game there. The course needs rain and the fairways are very dry. They are note bare, but the grass was dry and every shot felt like a hard pan lie.

I think I'll be hitting some shots over the next week off of that type of lie to see the best way to attack it, but maybe I'll just hit it in the rough.

Practice

I have been attempting to get in some practice lately amidst the hullabaloo and I feel comfortable enough than I can put forth a good effort next Wednesday in Lexington. The course was a little thin and dry, making playing the ball down tough. I almost felt better off in the rough. Anyway, I will be playing Polo Fields tonight (I love free golf) to get in a little more practice.

My official USGA handicap should become active anytime now. The revision went through today. As of now, it is still showing no handicap, but that should change. You can follow my scores and keep up with my current index at GHIN.com. Just do a handicap search and put in the right state and name. It's pretty neat because you can look up anyone. I even found Arnold Palmer's.

Summer Reading

I try to read as much as possible, but this time of year it takes me awhile to get through some books. Coming home after games, my eyes don't feel much like reading so I end up watching TV until I go to bed. I recently finished the first book of Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series, "The Golden Compass." It was much better than the movie, as expected, and I look forward to reading the last two. However, I have taken a break from the trilogy and started reading "The Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay. I've only finished the first chapter, but I am looking forward to reading it over the next few weeks. The plan is to finish this and then the last two Pullman books. After that, I'll get back into another non-fiction. Not sure what, but I think I'll thumb through the book Kevin lent me. I am thinking about another U.S. history book, but I seem to always come back to the physical sciences (Kevin, have you read "Einstein's Dreams"? And if so, is it good?)If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

Soooo Long Sucka!

So Ends An Era, But Not The Legend

The closure of Bellarmine Golf Course in July to make room for a parking lot and future buildings will put an end to one of the most famous courses in all of golf. Just like St. Andrews and Old Tom Morris or Augusta National and Bobby Jones, Bellarmine cannot be mentioned without the electrifying play of Brian Tabler. On October 12, 1988, his hole-in-one on the mountainous 4th hole sent shock waves throughout the golf world and transformed the game to it's current state. When asked about the destruction of the course he made famous, Tabler tearfully noted,

"They can plow it under. They can pave it, develop it and turn it into a concrete jungle. But history will remember. My fans will remember. I...will remember."

So ends an era, but not the legend.

Brief Update. Hopefully More Frequent Posts to Come

My promised highlights from round at Seneca, but I have since forgotten most of it (actually I haven't, but who cares about a round from over a week ago. I played well early until a 3 putt on the 7th and a nice triple bogey on the easy 8th hole par 3. I birdied 9 for a round of 40. The backside was a series of missed greens and bogeys. Pretty blah.

My last round after work with some guys at Nevel Meade was much more successful, even though I had too many bogeys the backside due strictly to mental errors instead of bad swings. I shot 35-40 for a 75. The highlight was on eagle on the par 5 7th. A high flop shot over a bunker from about 25 yards found the cup.

The bottom line is that I am hitting very good shots. Most of my mistakes come with poor club selection or trying shots that are unnecessary. So my goal is to stick to my game plan and take the simplest approach to shots. I will be playing Nevel Meade early Friday. I might get a round in Wednesday, but that depends on what Beth's schedule is. I also plan on getting one for the weekend. Free golf is great and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I feel I am playing the best golf in quite some time and just need ti keep my brain out of the way.

Work this current home stand has been crazy. Power outages during games, termite swarms in the Hall of Fame is absolutely ridiculous and numerous problems keep creeping up. Hopefully we are due for a smooth game.

That's it for now. I'm going to bed. Thanks to all those you keep checking my blog and I'm sure I will get back to it this week.

...One last note, my cornhole record for the season is 57-12. I've played quite a bit and am looking for some tournaments if anyone hears of any.

Admit It, You Missed Me

It is getting late and I don't feel like writing, but I just wanted to let everyone know and am still kicking. My plan is to post again tomorrow. Until then, I will just leave you with a few thoughts.

• Rachel Alexandra is a great horse and Mine That Bird is a very good horse. But I was rooting against Mine That Bird because I don't like his trainer.
• I was happy to see Henrik Stenson win The Players Championship last week. As far as international players go, he's alright...and any guy willing to hit a shot on national TV in his skivies is ok in my book. At least he didn't pull a Rick Jackson (a story I will not get into detail on this blog).
• My golf game is coming around and I expect to make further improvements this summer.
• I'm rooting for the astronauts working on the Hubble. Go astronauts go!
• My combined cornhole record this year is 40 -9. Not bad.

Just like Pop, I will post a post round recap of my round at Seneca tomorrow. My goal this year is too shoot a round in the 60's. Thanks for checking back in...I'm going to bad befor I fall asleep with zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Random Derby Stuff and More

• Friesan Fire. Enough said. If you're looking for an exacta, toss in Dunkirk. Feel free to send me a check. I recommend 20% of any earnings, but you may contribute more if you are really thankful.
• Cornhole boards available for Derby- I don't know what we are doing Derby Day yet, but it looks like the big shin-dig in Indiana is a possibility. I do have cornhole boards at work I can bring if anyone thinks they are needed (I know I'd use them).
• I have decided to play golf on Oaks Day. I have a morning tee time at Oxmoor with a few guys from work. I am trying to get in all the practice I can before the North Korean Express hits town next week (I thing Wag may want some revenge after the Herculean comeback at Shawnee on Sunday).
• I finally finished "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Jules Verne wrote the book in 1870. His foresight about submarines and other technology was amazing. While reading it, it seemed like he already new of the technology invented in the first quarter of the 20th century. I will have to learn more about him.
• Up next is the "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Phillip Pullman. The first book is "The Golden Compass." Beth is almost done with the last book, so I need to go ahead and read them so we can discuss. Maybe will have tea and strumpets...

I mean crumpets.

Showdown at the Valley

Saturday, May 9th, 2009 may begin just like any other day, but the hours that spill following sunrise will be retold for generations. The Coca-Cola Scramble at Sun Valley will witness two of the most formidable and electrifying scramble teams ever assembled on wide wide Dixie Highway. This town ain't big enough for the both of them, but the drama will be mammoth.

The first team is anchored by the father-son combo of Mark & Matt Wagner. This golf duo stooped to recruiting talent outside the United States. In a deal tenuously struck with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the Wagners acquired two of Pyongyang's biggest stars- Joo-Lee and Jit - in exchange for a collection of Warner Bros. cartoon DVD's. When asked if the language barrier may cause problems among the team, Wag senior snarled, "ya ain't got to speak no English to whoop some Tabler a**!"

When reporters asked Joo-Lee her reaction to playing in this tournament for the first time, she commented, "Coka-Cora ...been...very good... to me because... supreme leader say so very good."

The Don of the Tabler family, Bob "Steel Joints" Tabler, doesn't understand his family's sketchy reputation among those in the field. The Tabler's intimidation techniques are well known on the links, but the Don insists he raised his children to be respectful and upstanding members of the community. "I manage my boys with a firm and nurturing hand just like any loving father. They're good fellas."

His eldest son, Mark "Deep Freezer" Tabler, seems to have the raw ability, if not the refined skills of the "family business." Kevin " Hook n' Slice" Tabler works the ball around the course like a marionette. And Brian "Anchors" Tabler, the heavy weight of the team, has the experience and skill to drown the competition.

The golf committee may be wise to keep these teams separated on opposite sides of the course, but the TV ratings beg for a Team A-B match-up. With the Tabler team throwing daggers and the Wagner-Lee team launching missiles, the morning of May 9th will be a red dawn.

Cornhole Boards

A guy I work with built us some new cornhole boards for the office because the ones we plundered from the grounds crew were reclaimed on Thunder Saturday. I have put one coat of paint as a primer and lightly sanded them. My next job is to paint them with a semi-gloss paint and finally put on a thin coat of varnish.

I am also in the market for my own boards. Even though I have no space to store them (I'm sure my wonderful parents may watch after them for me because I'm sure we'd use them over there quite a bit). I haven't decided if I should have this same guy make me some or just buy a set. However, this brings me to the point of this blog post. I am searching for suggestions on the design of the boards. I have thought of the obvious idea of having team logos (I would like to have UK or St. Louis Cardinal designs). But I'm searching for something unique. I know my family is very creative and warped (in a good way) and could think of some interesting ideas.

For those of you unfamiliar with a cornhole board (and I can't imagine who that would be), I need to paint two of these:

Mt. Redoubt Web Cam

For any of you following the activity of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska, here is the link to the web cam updated every few minutes. Also, if you look to the left of the page, you will see a few different web cam locations for the volcano.

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/webcam/Redoubt_-_Hut.php

Happy Anniversary Mark & KIm

I didn't call you today because I knew you were out celebrating, but Happy Anniversary. I think we are all celebrating the fact that two such wonderful people found each other and ended up being such committed parents to two beautiful girls. We love you!

The Church & The Chiller

I had a few errands to run during lunch today and ended up on Bardstown Road in the Highlands. I pulled through a drive through to get a quick bite and decided to drive back in the neighborhoods around Cave Hill Cemetery. I found a nice quiet street and enjoyed the different architecture of the various houses and apartments unique to the Highlands. The grass is green, flowers and trees are in bloom and everything looks wonderful. As I sat in my car devouring my sandwich and listening to "State of Affairs" on NPR, I noticed several of the yards had signs in them that read: "Highland Presbyterian: Please Move Your Chiller."

I started wondering,"what the heck does that mean?" As I pulled away from the curb and drove down the block a few houses, I saw a different sign that read: www.thechurchandthechiller.com.

You can read for yourself the issue at hand, but it is hard to believe the church has so far gotten away with it. What happened to the days of shutting all the windows in the church in the summer and opening them all in the winter. That's how I remember it anyway (I'm looking at YOU Sister Margaret!)

When Worlds Collide

The article linked below came out in November 2008, but I only came across it last night. It is from World Net Daily. Though I have no idea of this publications background, I suspect it to be a right wing conservative publication. Again, I have not researched it, so I first read it as an unbiased article (although the author calls "The God Delusion" an anti-Christian book, which leads me to believe he has not read it, or did not comprehend it. Also, a link to a book in the middle of the article on the spread of atheism titled "The Marketing of Evil" was a little obvious). Please read:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=81459

While respecting the circumstances and feelings surrounding a case like this, especially a suicide of a young student, I find the reasoning of the student's family and friends short sighted and ignorant. Emotions often cloud judgement in such circumstances, but the slant the writer uses in the article adds to my disgust.

To suggest a book's presentation of "irrefutable" evidence destroys and undermines a persons faith and should be held accountable for "malpractice" is like blaming the iceberg for the Titanic hurling faster and faster, unchecked, through the icy North Atlantic. The evidence is what it is, so maybe the preliminary mindset is to blame. Did it not occur to anyone this young mind had been molded and filled with so much unquestionable "faith" that he forgot to think for himself. And once faced with ideas that break the mold, he was unable to cope. Even though it may hurt, blaming the truth is never a good idea.

The father stated by allowing his son to attend a secular school, he felt like he "put a toddler in the front of [his] car ." Kilgore's son was 22 years old. Definitely not a toddler, but he demonstrated the binding paralysis of a lifetime of indoctrination.

"I want to hold schools accountable for what they're teaching our kids. This was malpractice," he said. Challenging college students to read a book (not in the curriculum? GASP!) and allowing them to come to their own conclusions? How appalling! The problem did not lie in the book. The demise of this student started 20 years earlier, with the force feeding of misinformation, the discouragement of questioning, and the unaccountabilty of fundamental religious teaching.

A Spring Time High School Movie Classic Worth Reposting

Caution: One 4-Letter Word at the End