I've played golf since I was about 8 years old. My grandfather, who was the impetus in many things of my life, put in a virtual mini golf course in his back yard when I was small. My grandmother on my father's side, then bought me a bunch of clubs out of some old golf catalog, and from then on I was hooked.
My golf "career" began with trips up to the old Fort Devens Golf Course. Devens had an 18 hole layout (which has not existed since the late 90's) at the time. My grandfather used to bring me up there to play, paying as if he was going to (it was ridiculously cheap for people currently in the service, or retired from the service. i want to say..10 bucks with cart. Looking back, from what I can remember, Devens wasn't exactly a terribly difficult layout, but for a 9 year old it was a challenging course to play.
I played relatively often right up through college, scoring a 18 hole best of 75, although that was at Twin Springs, which at the time was a joke of a 9 hole course. (It's in much better condition today). For awhile my frequency of play went way down. Law school, life etc. Sometimes there would only be 5-6 rounds played in a year. But, over the past few years, I'm pretty much back in love with the game.
Since I need some kind of jump start to begin writing here, I think I am going to break down my rounds/tennis matches etc. Perhaps this will lead to one or two intelligent posts a month. Or something.
I played Wachusett on Thursday morning with my brother. Wachusett has a great deal, 40 bucks to play with cart until 9am.
Initially things went extremely well. After a hiccup on hole 1, (Great drive, terrible second shot into the bunker, wedge out of the bunker, two putt for bogey), I managed to play a nice stretch of golf, parring 2 (driver-3-wood, wedge and 2 putt) 3 (3-wood, wedge, 2 putt). Birdie on 4 (9iron to 5 feet and 1 putt) and a disappointing part on 5 (Long drive, 5-wood just short of the green, bad chip 2 putt)
So I stood at the 6th tee saying to myself, hey, I'm even par through 5, I have a shot to break 40 on the front, and maybe 80 for the round.
Naturally as soon as that through entered my head, things went haywire.
I hit perhaps the worst shot of the year from the tee on 6. I barely elevated the ball, and hit a slicing line drive, putting my 15 yards off the front. I tried to be too clever with my chip, and left it short, leading to another chip leaving me about 6-7 feet for bogey. Which I promptly missed. Double Bogey.
On 7 I hit a great drive, leaving me about 115 yards from the green. I hit my wedge dead left, off the green, leading to a chip and a 2 putt for a disappointing bogey.
After a pedestrian bogey on 8, I miss the fairway on 9, only by about 5 yards. But, Wachusett on this hole (and this is my only quarrel with the course) has this stupid mound, where the grass runs wild like it's a British Open course. Despite seeing my ball hop in this mound, I cant find my ball, end up carding a double bogey for a front side 42.
Fuming, I make a mess at 10. I hit a decent drive into the right rough. Try to muscle a 3 wood to the green (it's a par 5) and.....I advance the ball perhaps 60 yards...all due to the ball bouncing down the cart path. Then I hit a 6 iron dead left, hit two terrible chips, two putt and threaten to wrap my putter around my cart.
I bogey 11, bogey 12 (after being on in two...and having a dreadful 3 putt), bogey 13...I finally catch some luck at 14.
I hit a drive which cuts way more than I had anticipated, we couldnt find the ball so I take a drop, and hit another ball. then...as we're heading up towards the green..there's my initial ball, way further down than I thought. I got the go ahead to play my original, and end up parring that hole.
The streak of luck continues at 15 where I hit a bad drive, right into the trees, but the ball not only comes out, but is somehow propelled forward. Instead of losing about 70-80 yards on my drive, I only lose about 20. My three wood second shot ends up about 30 yards short (par 5) I make a good pitch shot in. Just miss the 10 footer for birdie and have a tap in par.
coming in I par 16 with a 1 putt. Bogey 17 after missing an easy putt, and bogey 18 for a 85.
While Wachusett is not the most difficult course in the area, it's a well maintained fun course to play, where you can score well if you play to your capability.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Updates
Hey!!
Hi!!!
So about 10 weeks ago, I claimed I'd be writing a ton. Clearly I've lied at this point.
I've had quite a bit going on. Let's run it down. I like lists!
1. Work
It's been busy, which is a great thing. And then sometimes it's been dead. Which is NOT a good thing. It's tough to get used to having your own office. There's weeks where you are on top of the world, and then there's months like this month, where I still haven't paid my rent yet. Whoops! Seriously though, overall it's been a good move, I just need to continue to diversify, and go from there. I had a feeler or two from a bigger firm in town to see if I'd be interested in a jump. I'm not.
2. School
I absolutely and totally miscalculated the amount of time pursuing my LLM was going to take. While it's going to be totally worthwhile when done, it's taken up a ton of time, and I'm glad I have a couple months off now. I did really well in two courses (although I should have done better in one of them) and just flat out bad in the other. I found one course to be maddening, and frankly didn't put in the time I should have. Basically I pissed myself off here.
3. Life
Gah. I don't even know what to say anymore. I just back from Vegas which was a blast. This is going somewhere...I swear. I went out there with three old friends, a guy I've known since we were 12, he lives FAR away now. And his two college roomates, one who I'm very good friends with as he lives somewhat close, and his other roomate who I am friendly with, but really got to know him well this trip. This is the original Vegas crew from 03. It's the first time we've all been together since 06, and the first time in Vegas since 04...so it's been a long time.
ANYHOW. We had a blast. heavy booze, gambling, making fun of each other. the typical shit we all do when we're together. But it's different now, these guys all have families now. One of the guys and I were sitting at the sports book, when he took out his cell phone, and said, this is the reason you want to settle down at some point, and played a message from his son, who had left a message saying "Just wanted to say good morning daddy."
For all the people I see in shitty relationships, this dude gives hope. He claims (and I believe it) that him and his wife have fought one time in their lives. period.
SO the trip overall was obviously a blast. Now I'm home, and Im confronting some of the obvious issues in my life. I've claimed over and over again I'm going to get into shape. I don't think i ever figured out the proper way to do that. But now I'm making an effort to stay active and eat healthy. I haven't had snack food or anything like that since before I went to Vegas, which for me is big. I'm trying to do something cardio based 5-6 times a week, and eventually add 2-3 days of weightlifting as well.
I want to stay healthy. I see how bring out of shape hurts people. I also see the issues my dad faces. My dad was never out of shape, and he was a smoker, so obviously there's differences, but my dad has been ill for 10 years now. Non-hodkins Lymphoma, now has liver damage from all the chemo over the years, a touch of emphesema. He had to leave a great job, and now works part time.
He and my mother experience terribly financial problems now. That what happens when you go from making 100k a year to 20k. He can't handle a full time job, his health fails any time he tries to do anything beyond relaxation. it's sad, and frusterating.
Today he was telling me how he's decided not to continue with any medication which costs them out of pocket. He was telling me about a two week IV treatment he was going through. It cost 40k. Insurance only covered 90%. They have to fork over 4k for 14 IV treatments. I'm not kidding. In America we are resorting now to refusing medical treatment, so your spouse doesn't end up in financial disaster.
Is this the America that we all envisioned? Is this the America that everyone wants to come to? I don't fucking think so.
There's something tough about listening to your father pour his heart out to you. He's gone through a lot, and isn't in a good place. I feel so badly for him, and wish to God there was something I could do for him.
I can only do things for myself. I figure if I live a extremely healthy lifestyle from here onwards, I can give myself a chance to avoid what my father goes through every day. We have longevity in my family thankfully, but we also have a bad history of cancer, and alcoholism. Therefore, it's time to live healthy, and cut back on my booze intake. I don't have a problem, but if I continue to go out in the fashion I have for the last year or two, I have a great chance of developing one. So it's time to be a little more mature. Hell...better on the wallet too...
I also intend to start cleaning up my life. Over the past few weeks I've realized I have people in my life that I just plain don't like. For the most part, I'm not talking about my true friends, rather people who have been on the periphery of my life for awhile. I've attempted to just be the docile nice guy, which role I've been playing for about 10-11 years now. (Before that I was a complete asshole). I find it increasingly hard to just go along with idiots and the shit that spout off. I just can't do it anymore. If that means taking myself out of and away from these situations, that's exactly what I'll do. I spend a lot of time in my life trying to ensure everyone else's happiness. I don't spend nearly enough time ensuring mine.
As for my friends, most of them are fantastic. Really. No BS. I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Incredibly blessed in that sense. And then there's some who just take take and take and don't give shit. I'm not a very needy person. At all. I don't require daily affirmation or puffery. But even I tire of conversations that are 100% about the other person. I know people appreciate the fact that I listen to them, rather than concentrate on the next topic IM going to speak about, but some people just take that too far. Whatever. Fuck em.
I believe the girl I went out with a couple times gets home from her three vacation/conferance palooza next weekend, so I'll probably be hanging with her sometime soon, which is nice. She's a lucky girl, she's buying me low right now....when I get ripped, she'll have an asset. (Im kidding obviously, we'll probably hate each other before July begins). Seriously though, it'll be nice to hang out with someone with potential, and we'll see what happens.
This has been a poorly directed, rambling mess of a post, but this is what happens when you need to get some shit down on paper, but are overtired due to the Celtics game.
I promise the next blog (which will take MUCH less than 10 weeks to post) will get back to its typical focus.
Hi!!!
So about 10 weeks ago, I claimed I'd be writing a ton. Clearly I've lied at this point.
I've had quite a bit going on. Let's run it down. I like lists!
1. Work
It's been busy, which is a great thing. And then sometimes it's been dead. Which is NOT a good thing. It's tough to get used to having your own office. There's weeks where you are on top of the world, and then there's months like this month, where I still haven't paid my rent yet. Whoops! Seriously though, overall it's been a good move, I just need to continue to diversify, and go from there. I had a feeler or two from a bigger firm in town to see if I'd be interested in a jump. I'm not.
2. School
I absolutely and totally miscalculated the amount of time pursuing my LLM was going to take. While it's going to be totally worthwhile when done, it's taken up a ton of time, and I'm glad I have a couple months off now. I did really well in two courses (although I should have done better in one of them) and just flat out bad in the other. I found one course to be maddening, and frankly didn't put in the time I should have. Basically I pissed myself off here.
3. Life
Gah. I don't even know what to say anymore. I just back from Vegas which was a blast. This is going somewhere...I swear. I went out there with three old friends, a guy I've known since we were 12, he lives FAR away now. And his two college roomates, one who I'm very good friends with as he lives somewhat close, and his other roomate who I am friendly with, but really got to know him well this trip. This is the original Vegas crew from 03. It's the first time we've all been together since 06, and the first time in Vegas since 04...so it's been a long time.
ANYHOW. We had a blast. heavy booze, gambling, making fun of each other. the typical shit we all do when we're together. But it's different now, these guys all have families now. One of the guys and I were sitting at the sports book, when he took out his cell phone, and said, this is the reason you want to settle down at some point, and played a message from his son, who had left a message saying "Just wanted to say good morning daddy."
For all the people I see in shitty relationships, this dude gives hope. He claims (and I believe it) that him and his wife have fought one time in their lives. period.
SO the trip overall was obviously a blast. Now I'm home, and Im confronting some of the obvious issues in my life. I've claimed over and over again I'm going to get into shape. I don't think i ever figured out the proper way to do that. But now I'm making an effort to stay active and eat healthy. I haven't had snack food or anything like that since before I went to Vegas, which for me is big. I'm trying to do something cardio based 5-6 times a week, and eventually add 2-3 days of weightlifting as well.
I want to stay healthy. I see how bring out of shape hurts people. I also see the issues my dad faces. My dad was never out of shape, and he was a smoker, so obviously there's differences, but my dad has been ill for 10 years now. Non-hodkins Lymphoma, now has liver damage from all the chemo over the years, a touch of emphesema. He had to leave a great job, and now works part time.
He and my mother experience terribly financial problems now. That what happens when you go from making 100k a year to 20k. He can't handle a full time job, his health fails any time he tries to do anything beyond relaxation. it's sad, and frusterating.
Today he was telling me how he's decided not to continue with any medication which costs them out of pocket. He was telling me about a two week IV treatment he was going through. It cost 40k. Insurance only covered 90%. They have to fork over 4k for 14 IV treatments. I'm not kidding. In America we are resorting now to refusing medical treatment, so your spouse doesn't end up in financial disaster.
Is this the America that we all envisioned? Is this the America that everyone wants to come to? I don't fucking think so.
There's something tough about listening to your father pour his heart out to you. He's gone through a lot, and isn't in a good place. I feel so badly for him, and wish to God there was something I could do for him.
I can only do things for myself. I figure if I live a extremely healthy lifestyle from here onwards, I can give myself a chance to avoid what my father goes through every day. We have longevity in my family thankfully, but we also have a bad history of cancer, and alcoholism. Therefore, it's time to live healthy, and cut back on my booze intake. I don't have a problem, but if I continue to go out in the fashion I have for the last year or two, I have a great chance of developing one. So it's time to be a little more mature. Hell...better on the wallet too...
I also intend to start cleaning up my life. Over the past few weeks I've realized I have people in my life that I just plain don't like. For the most part, I'm not talking about my true friends, rather people who have been on the periphery of my life for awhile. I've attempted to just be the docile nice guy, which role I've been playing for about 10-11 years now. (Before that I was a complete asshole). I find it increasingly hard to just go along with idiots and the shit that spout off. I just can't do it anymore. If that means taking myself out of and away from these situations, that's exactly what I'll do. I spend a lot of time in my life trying to ensure everyone else's happiness. I don't spend nearly enough time ensuring mine.
As for my friends, most of them are fantastic. Really. No BS. I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Incredibly blessed in that sense. And then there's some who just take take and take and don't give shit. I'm not a very needy person. At all. I don't require daily affirmation or puffery. But even I tire of conversations that are 100% about the other person. I know people appreciate the fact that I listen to them, rather than concentrate on the next topic IM going to speak about, but some people just take that too far. Whatever. Fuck em.
I believe the girl I went out with a couple times gets home from her three vacation/conferance palooza next weekend, so I'll probably be hanging with her sometime soon, which is nice. She's a lucky girl, she's buying me low right now....when I get ripped, she'll have an asset. (Im kidding obviously, we'll probably hate each other before July begins). Seriously though, it'll be nice to hang out with someone with potential, and we'll see what happens.
This has been a poorly directed, rambling mess of a post, but this is what happens when you need to get some shit down on paper, but are overtired due to the Celtics game.
I promise the next blog (which will take MUCH less than 10 weeks to post) will get back to its typical focus.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What's Bothering Me Today
This is the first of what will likely be TONS of "What's bothering me today" posts.
Today's subject?
"Hand Cut Steaks"
And Places that advertise "Angus" beef...or "Sirloin"
Of course, Joe Consumer nods his head and says "HEY. a HANDCUT ANGUS SIRLOIN BURGER....MUST BE GOOD."
Well let's review.
Sirloin - The cheapest "premium" steak, because sirloin as a rule is tougher than your average cut of meat.
Angus-Is a type of cattle. Fast food companies have been in a marketing campaign to try to convince you that Angus cattle is the greatest source of beef in the whole wide world! Now...when McDonald's is trying to convince me that their brand of cattle used, is the tastiest beef in the world...you have to understand I maintain a skeptical stance.
Hand-Cut. Simply means someone cut the fucking steak by hand.
The American consumer is so dumb that they will swallow anything.
Today's subject?
"Hand Cut Steaks"
And Places that advertise "Angus" beef...or "Sirloin"
Of course, Joe Consumer nods his head and says "HEY. a HANDCUT ANGUS SIRLOIN BURGER....MUST BE GOOD."
Well let's review.
Sirloin - The cheapest "premium" steak, because sirloin as a rule is tougher than your average cut of meat.
Angus-Is a type of cattle. Fast food companies have been in a marketing campaign to try to convince you that Angus cattle is the greatest source of beef in the whole wide world! Now...when McDonald's is trying to convince me that their brand of cattle used, is the tastiest beef in the world...you have to understand I maintain a skeptical stance.
Hand-Cut. Simply means someone cut the fucking steak by hand.
The American consumer is so dumb that they will swallow anything.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Politics and the Sox
In an absolutely shocking moment today, Republican candidate for president, John McCain picked up the endorsement of Nancy Reagan.
Why is this shocking?
Well. It's not. But the amount of press that this endorsement has received is quite entertaining.
Did the general public expect anything different? Was Reagan going to endorse the dreamy Barry Obama? How about the cyborg, Hillary Clinton? Ron Paul? Dr. Mark Klein?
Of course not, Nancy Reagan was going to endorse the settled Republican candidate, and that is just what she did. The coverage of this endorsement just is part of the ridiculousness that has invaded American Politics. There's a highly interesting and well fought primary going on, and there will be a well fought and entertaining general election fought, yet we focus not on issues, or differences....but a former first lady's endorsement of a candidate from her own party. SHOCKING stuff.
Sox in Japan
I will have a more fleshed out preview/thoughts on the upcoming season. What I will say for now, is that the Sox are not even close to as good as they were last year, but that may be enough to win the East, which is seeing the boogeymen of years past take a step back, with other teams making a step forward.
Why is this shocking?
Well. It's not. But the amount of press that this endorsement has received is quite entertaining.
Did the general public expect anything different? Was Reagan going to endorse the dreamy Barry Obama? How about the cyborg, Hillary Clinton? Ron Paul? Dr. Mark Klein?
Of course not, Nancy Reagan was going to endorse the settled Republican candidate, and that is just what she did. The coverage of this endorsement just is part of the ridiculousness that has invaded American Politics. There's a highly interesting and well fought primary going on, and there will be a well fought and entertaining general election fought, yet we focus not on issues, or differences....but a former first lady's endorsement of a candidate from her own party. SHOCKING stuff.
Sox in Japan
I will have a more fleshed out preview/thoughts on the upcoming season. What I will say for now, is that the Sox are not even close to as good as they were last year, but that may be enough to win the East, which is seeing the boogeymen of years past take a step back, with other teams making a step forward.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Welcome
I believe I managed to wipe out all traces of my old blog. Kudos to me!! Anyhow, this will be an extremely self-indulgent journey through the areas of my (often) warped mind. Unfortunately, my very limited brain only cares for a few subjects, namely:
1. Sports.
I am a complete and over the top fan of sports, and have been basically since birth.
2. Music
As you will quickly learn, my love for music is a close second to sports in my world...
3. Politics
Politics is an area where unfortunately, many people my age and younger just haven't wanted to be involved in. Until my hero and man crush, Barry Obama entered the scene.
4. Law
This, unfortunately, is my current occupation, and sometimes bane of my existence. I work for myself (that should narrow down who I am to approximately 10000 lawyers in the Commonwealth).
5. Writing
I would much rather be writing either for film or tv rather than grinding out billable hours and pretending that I like most of my clients. Alas, it doesn't always work out the way we want it...
6. Pop culture
I am a proud lover of terrible pop culture, and frankly have no shame about this.
7. Life.
Because I would like this to remain anonymous, beyond the people who know I have this blog, I'll have to self censor many of the details, but you'll frequently get my musings or rants, or annoyed blogs about the lovely people who seem to enter my life on a daily basis.
Hopefully I haven't run you off screaming as of yet. Stay tuned for a boatload of useless posts.
1. Sports.
I am a complete and over the top fan of sports, and have been basically since birth.
2. Music
As you will quickly learn, my love for music is a close second to sports in my world...
3. Politics
Politics is an area where unfortunately, many people my age and younger just haven't wanted to be involved in. Until my hero and man crush, Barry Obama entered the scene.
4. Law
This, unfortunately, is my current occupation, and sometimes bane of my existence. I work for myself (that should narrow down who I am to approximately 10000 lawyers in the Commonwealth).
5. Writing
I would much rather be writing either for film or tv rather than grinding out billable hours and pretending that I like most of my clients. Alas, it doesn't always work out the way we want it...
6. Pop culture
I am a proud lover of terrible pop culture, and frankly have no shame about this.
7. Life.
Because I would like this to remain anonymous, beyond the people who know I have this blog, I'll have to self censor many of the details, but you'll frequently get my musings or rants, or annoyed blogs about the lovely people who seem to enter my life on a daily basis.
Hopefully I haven't run you off screaming as of yet. Stay tuned for a boatload of useless posts.
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