I wouldn't be surprised if people have stopped looking at this page. Readers only visit a non-updated page so many times before never visiting again.
But the last week or two weeks have been hectic to say the least. I was in three different states and went from Erie to Morgantown, W.Va., to Rockville, Md., to Chambersburg, Pa., to Shippensburg, Pa., to Harrisburg, Pa., and back to Erie in a matter six days last week. By the time I got back I didn't feel like doing anything. I didn't stay in the same place for more than two nights and slept in four different beds.
If the journey wasn't enough to wear me out, I also had to make a life-changing decision. Last Thursday I was offered the head sports information director position at Millersville University. On Friday, I accepted.
I realize that there has been a great deal of turnover and unrest at Millersville in the last three years and not many people would take this job. But first, it was WAY too much money to turn down at this point in my life. And in the interviews, I heard what I wanted to hear. I heard that they realized they had made mistakes with the position and were wanting to take some steps forward and move ahead. They told me over the phone that I was the guy they thought could take them to the next level.
That's pressure, but it's what I want. Everyone wants to be wanted. I've always wanted an opportunity to walk into a job and make a complete overhaul. It's why I got my master's in organization development and leadership. It's time to put that degree into action. Millersville has a ton of potential. The school is in a great location, very good basketball teams and tremendous facilities. A new football coach was just hired, as well. He was the defensive coordinator at Northwestern last year and I am looking forward to working with him.
I start on June 9. With everything happening so quickly, I have to move out here and find a place there. Saturday Trista and I are heading East to find our future home. She will be looking for a job there, as well. The next few weeks are going to be crazy.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A Stroke of Luck
I'll venture to say there's never been a golfing day quite like the one I had today.
It started with a drive to Crab Apple Ridge, where I had heard good reviews of the course but when I arrived, it was packed to the gills. There was no chance I was getting on today. There had to be a league holding the course hostage. I got out of there quickly in hopes I could find another course.
The GPS told me there was another just two miles away. But to my disappointment, it was a tiny par 3 course and the attendant wasn't even there! According to the mother sitting at the picnic table, he had left to move his car and wouldn't be back for a while. She also informed the course was closed on Tuesdays for the Boy Scouts. Stinkin' kids.
I was down 0-2 in the count but knew I had old reliable just down the road: Orchard Ponds. Usually it's quiet there and there is never a wait to tee off. Until tonight. It too was busy. I thought maybe I could wait it out but when I tried to pay, the girl behind the counter said, "Um, are you part of the league?" UGGGGH!
When did Tuesday become National Golf League Day on every course in America?
Three strikes and I was out. The great thing about Erie is that there is no shortage of courses but I was tired of getting my clubs out, putting my shoes on and then putting my clubs right back in and taking my shoes right back off. But for some reason I turned toward Erie Golf Club, which I had heard was closed a while back. But hey, at least if it was closed there wouldn't be a league playing.
I arrived at the course and there were two cars in the parking lot but there was a big sign on the clubhouse that said in big, bold, red letters, CLOSED. However, there was a man chipping in the first fairway and I asked him if it was closed up for good. He said there were no flags, but it is kept mowed and that any one that wants to can play as long as they don't mind not having pins.
Of course at this point, I could care less if there were tree branches sticking out of the greens. I just wanted to play. And I did just that. I set out on No. 10 and played the back nine, hitting two and three shots into each green, working on my short game and not seeing soul until I walked up No. 14. That fellow also got turned away at Crab Apple Ridge. Another man was working on his approach shots on an adjacent fairway as I got to No. 16, and it was obvious to me that he was a frequenter of the closed-up course.
By the time I finished, I had easily played 18 holes worth of golf and getting PLENTY of practice on my short game. There were seven or eight cars in the lot by now. A couple of fellows were actually walking the holes, a few others staked out some greens and were working on particular shots. It was like a little club that gathered to play golf for free. And you know what? I'm going to be a part of that club for now on!
I am not sure why the course was ever closed because it was really great layout. Huge bunkers, hilly, challenging from tee to green and some rolling greens. It really is a shame because the greens were obviously very slow and soft because of the lack of maintenance. But the tee boxes and the greens were recently trimmed. The course, despite not having a regular grounds keeper, was in better shape than many of the public courses back home.
So after three tries at paying to play, I finally played...for free! Which brings me to today's lesson, kids. What's the best kind of golf? Free golf!
It started with a drive to Crab Apple Ridge, where I had heard good reviews of the course but when I arrived, it was packed to the gills. There was no chance I was getting on today. There had to be a league holding the course hostage. I got out of there quickly in hopes I could find another course.
The GPS told me there was another just two miles away. But to my disappointment, it was a tiny par 3 course and the attendant wasn't even there! According to the mother sitting at the picnic table, he had left to move his car and wouldn't be back for a while. She also informed the course was closed on Tuesdays for the Boy Scouts. Stinkin' kids.
I was down 0-2 in the count but knew I had old reliable just down the road: Orchard Ponds. Usually it's quiet there and there is never a wait to tee off. Until tonight. It too was busy. I thought maybe I could wait it out but when I tried to pay, the girl behind the counter said, "Um, are you part of the league?" UGGGGH!
When did Tuesday become National Golf League Day on every course in America?
Three strikes and I was out. The great thing about Erie is that there is no shortage of courses but I was tired of getting my clubs out, putting my shoes on and then putting my clubs right back in and taking my shoes right back off. But for some reason I turned toward Erie Golf Club, which I had heard was closed a while back. But hey, at least if it was closed there wouldn't be a league playing.
I arrived at the course and there were two cars in the parking lot but there was a big sign on the clubhouse that said in big, bold, red letters, CLOSED. However, there was a man chipping in the first fairway and I asked him if it was closed up for good. He said there were no flags, but it is kept mowed and that any one that wants to can play as long as they don't mind not having pins.
Of course at this point, I could care less if there were tree branches sticking out of the greens. I just wanted to play. And I did just that. I set out on No. 10 and played the back nine, hitting two and three shots into each green, working on my short game and not seeing soul until I walked up No. 14. That fellow also got turned away at Crab Apple Ridge. Another man was working on his approach shots on an adjacent fairway as I got to No. 16, and it was obvious to me that he was a frequenter of the closed-up course.
By the time I finished, I had easily played 18 holes worth of golf and getting PLENTY of practice on my short game. There were seven or eight cars in the lot by now. A couple of fellows were actually walking the holes, a few others staked out some greens and were working on particular shots. It was like a little club that gathered to play golf for free. And you know what? I'm going to be a part of that club for now on!
I am not sure why the course was ever closed because it was really great layout. Huge bunkers, hilly, challenging from tee to green and some rolling greens. It really is a shame because the greens were obviously very slow and soft because of the lack of maintenance. But the tee boxes and the greens were recently trimmed. The course, despite not having a regular grounds keeper, was in better shape than many of the public courses back home.
So after three tries at paying to play, I finally played...for free! Which brings me to today's lesson, kids. What's the best kind of golf? Free golf!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Like a Child
Ever hear someone tell a kid or even an immature adult to "grow up." Usually I'm in agreement but I came upon something in my reading this week that makes me think--in some respects--that we shouldn't.
Mark 10:14, Jesus flat out says "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
If I'm reading that correctly, and I'm pretty certain that I am, it seems that being childlike is not a suggestion, but it is a requirement. Why is being childlike so important, though? After all, there is such a rush to move on in life. Hurry and get to 16 so I can get my drivers license. Hurry and get to 18 so I can vote. Hurry to get to 21 so I can be an "adult." Hurry to retirement. It never ends. There is a constant push to keep getting older no matter how old we get.
But let's get something straight. There is a big difference between being a little child as Jesus says, or a child of God as is so often mentioned in the Bible, and being childish. There are specific qualities of childlike behavior that we should aim for an certain ones we should steer clear of.
One we should avoid is being childlike in understanding and knowledge. 1 John used "little children" repeatedly. In this book, John explains the importance of following the word and not being led astray. Remember, this book was written to early Christians that were learning on the go. They didn't have a neatly compiled book like I have and that I am referencing from right now. It seems to me that he wrote this cautionary letter and called them "little children" because of their innocence or maybe even ignorance in the word. They needed guidance and warning. They needed their hands held. Think of when you were in first grade, learning basic addition and subtraction, learning to write and read. Those are the building blocks of learning. But at some point, as Paul tell us, we must advance past basic math to algebra.
Paul wrote in Hebrews that eventually believers must grow intellectually and spiritually to be able to "discern both good and evil" and teach others. If we do not understand the word ourselves, how then can we spread the gospel as we have been told to do?
But as I previously mentioned, there are certain characteristics of being a child that God requires of us in our daily walk if we are to be in a true relationship with Him. I have pulled out a few "childlike" characteristics. This is not a comprehensive or precise list but merely a few characteristics that I gathered from reading scripture. If we become like a child in respect to these qualities, we will no doubt grow closer to God.
Reliant - Children rely on parents to wake them up for school, make meals, buy groceries, wash their clothes, put them into the bathtub (even if its against the child's will). The parents know what is best for the child just as our Father knows what is best for us. And even though their livelihood hinges on the responsibility of their parents, they never doubt, and neither should we doubt God who is the provider of all things. We can't get to heaven on our own merit. The only way is through the blood of Jesus, and on that and that alone we must rely. Also, think back to Israelites of the Old Testament. They prospered when they relied on God, but as soon as they started to worship other gods, God's hand of protection pulled away. Good things happen to those who rely on the Lord. Just check out 2 Chronicles 14.
Inquisitive - I can remember being little and lying in bed thinking about all the mysteries of the world and asking question after question and not being able to sleep until each was answered. Children have an great hunger and willingness to learn. Experts say the best time to learn a foreign language or a musical instrument is at an early age. As I mentioned before, it is of dire importance to learn God's word. We shouldn't remain intellectually childlike, but our thirst for the word should like a child's. Seemingly the entire book of Proverbs tell us the importance of gaining knowledge.
Excitable - At Christmas time, it never surprises me when kids start playing with the box and the wrapping paper instead of the toy inside. Now, this is obviously a case of ignorance is bliss, but it also shows how children get excited over the smallest things. We should follow that lead, finding joy in every day occurrences. Nothing is more exciting than knowing that Jesus has already conquered the grave and we should show it! David was a man after God's heart and he played music, sang and danced before the Lord in worship, praising Him for all He had done. Just like a child opening a gift on Christmas, we should have that light in our eyes and happiness every day because we've already received the all-time greatest gift.
Humble - It's a rare day when you see a child boast and brag of their accomplishments. It's also not every day that you see a quote from Zephaniah. Chapter 2, verse 3...
"Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger."
That's a better explanation than I can give, but I will mention that pride was the first sin on earth (Eve wanting to be like God, Genesis 3:5) and the reason for Satan's fall. Pride is our greatest temptation and can drive a permanent wedge between us and God.
Uninhibited - I'll use myself as an example here. When I was three of four years old, He-Man was the big cartoon superhero. He-Man didn't wear much in the way of clothes. So of course I wanted to be like him. I'd go play in the yard and play He-Man wearing nothing but underwear and wielding a plastic sword. At that age, I could care less what the neighbors thought. Now, I think my neighbors would have a few questions if I was outside playing He-Man in my underwear. The point is that we shouldn't be afraid of what world thinks. I know many times I am reluctant to speak out because of what others perception of me may be. Acts 4 says that God's people spoke with boldness. 1 John 2:28 says, "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." Romans 8 says that the children of God have a "glorious liberty." We should exercise that liberty by being uninhibited with our faith and telling everyone of the good news.
Trusting - Why does God tell us to give an offering? Sure the church needs funds to operate, but it is more so a way for us to learn that if we trust in God, he will take care of our needs. Children don't worry about where their next meal is coming from or who will pay the electric bill. They have no question or doubt that these staples will be provided. Without trust there can be no faith, and with no faith, there can be no belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Again, these are merely a few of the childlike characteristics that God requires of us. The ultimate purpose of our existence is to to be a child of God. Who is a child of God? 1 John 5 explains that it is anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ and loves Him. Romans 8 says that the children of God are heirs of God and "joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."
Wow, what a promise. I think I'd like to be a child forever.
Mark 10:14, Jesus flat out says "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
If I'm reading that correctly, and I'm pretty certain that I am, it seems that being childlike is not a suggestion, but it is a requirement. Why is being childlike so important, though? After all, there is such a rush to move on in life. Hurry and get to 16 so I can get my drivers license. Hurry and get to 18 so I can vote. Hurry to get to 21 so I can be an "adult." Hurry to retirement. It never ends. There is a constant push to keep getting older no matter how old we get.
But let's get something straight. There is a big difference between being a little child as Jesus says, or a child of God as is so often mentioned in the Bible, and being childish. There are specific qualities of childlike behavior that we should aim for an certain ones we should steer clear of.
One we should avoid is being childlike in understanding and knowledge. 1 John used "little children" repeatedly. In this book, John explains the importance of following the word and not being led astray. Remember, this book was written to early Christians that were learning on the go. They didn't have a neatly compiled book like I have and that I am referencing from right now. It seems to me that he wrote this cautionary letter and called them "little children" because of their innocence or maybe even ignorance in the word. They needed guidance and warning. They needed their hands held. Think of when you were in first grade, learning basic addition and subtraction, learning to write and read. Those are the building blocks of learning. But at some point, as Paul tell us, we must advance past basic math to algebra.
Paul wrote in Hebrews that eventually believers must grow intellectually and spiritually to be able to "discern both good and evil" and teach others. If we do not understand the word ourselves, how then can we spread the gospel as we have been told to do?
But as I previously mentioned, there are certain characteristics of being a child that God requires of us in our daily walk if we are to be in a true relationship with Him. I have pulled out a few "childlike" characteristics. This is not a comprehensive or precise list but merely a few characteristics that I gathered from reading scripture. If we become like a child in respect to these qualities, we will no doubt grow closer to God.
Reliant - Children rely on parents to wake them up for school, make meals, buy groceries, wash their clothes, put them into the bathtub (even if its against the child's will). The parents know what is best for the child just as our Father knows what is best for us. And even though their livelihood hinges on the responsibility of their parents, they never doubt, and neither should we doubt God who is the provider of all things. We can't get to heaven on our own merit. The only way is through the blood of Jesus, and on that and that alone we must rely. Also, think back to Israelites of the Old Testament. They prospered when they relied on God, but as soon as they started to worship other gods, God's hand of protection pulled away. Good things happen to those who rely on the Lord. Just check out 2 Chronicles 14.
Inquisitive - I can remember being little and lying in bed thinking about all the mysteries of the world and asking question after question and not being able to sleep until each was answered. Children have an great hunger and willingness to learn. Experts say the best time to learn a foreign language or a musical instrument is at an early age. As I mentioned before, it is of dire importance to learn God's word. We shouldn't remain intellectually childlike, but our thirst for the word should like a child's. Seemingly the entire book of Proverbs tell us the importance of gaining knowledge.
Excitable - At Christmas time, it never surprises me when kids start playing with the box and the wrapping paper instead of the toy inside. Now, this is obviously a case of ignorance is bliss, but it also shows how children get excited over the smallest things. We should follow that lead, finding joy in every day occurrences. Nothing is more exciting than knowing that Jesus has already conquered the grave and we should show it! David was a man after God's heart and he played music, sang and danced before the Lord in worship, praising Him for all He had done. Just like a child opening a gift on Christmas, we should have that light in our eyes and happiness every day because we've already received the all-time greatest gift.
Humble - It's a rare day when you see a child boast and brag of their accomplishments. It's also not every day that you see a quote from Zephaniah. Chapter 2, verse 3...
"Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger."
That's a better explanation than I can give, but I will mention that pride was the first sin on earth (Eve wanting to be like God, Genesis 3:5) and the reason for Satan's fall. Pride is our greatest temptation and can drive a permanent wedge between us and God.
Uninhibited - I'll use myself as an example here. When I was three of four years old, He-Man was the big cartoon superhero. He-Man didn't wear much in the way of clothes. So of course I wanted to be like him. I'd go play in the yard and play He-Man wearing nothing but underwear and wielding a plastic sword. At that age, I could care less what the neighbors thought. Now, I think my neighbors would have a few questions if I was outside playing He-Man in my underwear. The point is that we shouldn't be afraid of what world thinks. I know many times I am reluctant to speak out because of what others perception of me may be. Acts 4 says that God's people spoke with boldness. 1 John 2:28 says, "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." Romans 8 says that the children of God have a "glorious liberty." We should exercise that liberty by being uninhibited with our faith and telling everyone of the good news.
Trusting - Why does God tell us to give an offering? Sure the church needs funds to operate, but it is more so a way for us to learn that if we trust in God, he will take care of our needs. Children don't worry about where their next meal is coming from or who will pay the electric bill. They have no question or doubt that these staples will be provided. Without trust there can be no faith, and with no faith, there can be no belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Again, these are merely a few of the childlike characteristics that God requires of us. The ultimate purpose of our existence is to to be a child of God. Who is a child of God? 1 John 5 explains that it is anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ and loves Him. Romans 8 says that the children of God are heirs of God and "joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."
Wow, what a promise. I think I'd like to be a child forever.
Carrying On
I was taking a daily trip around the world wide web and decided to check out Jim's blog and see what he was speaking about at Prince Street Church this morning. He wasn't speaking today, though, because it was Youth Sunday.
Seeing that gave me some mixed emotions. It's not that I was broken up that Jim wasn't speaking (no offense, Jim). I was excited because the kids were up there leading worship and I was proud of the musicians especially. But I was also a little sad that I wasn't there to be a part of it.
You see, in the two years I was at Ship I saw a young, inexperienced drummer turn into very capable drummer and then into a guitar player that was leading a youth Sunday service. I also saw his little brother, our reliable egg shaker and tambourine man, become a good drummer in his own right. When I got to Prince Street, there weren't many instruments being played. But I just got there at the right time. I filled a need of guitar. A college freshman filled the role of bass player. And the two brothers got an into-the-fire learning experience as they not only learned to play in a band, they were learning their instruments at the same time!
I remember getting together with those kids to try and teach them "God of Wonders" for a youth performance. Those first few practice sessions had some choppy waters to navigate. We couldn't keep a tune or a rhythm, but the young musicians progressed so quickly.
Later, I even stepped in and played and even sang with them on a couple of occasions. Being a part of the growth and evolution of something like that is pretty darn cool. No one will ever accuse me of Phil Keaggy in terms of guitar prowess and no one will ever confuse with Chris Tomlin as a worship leader, but am always grateful for the two years I spent sharing my meager talents with the folks there, especially the kids. But as good as those memories are and as much as I'd like to still be a part of the group, it makes me smile all the more that they have kept it going and have no need for me any more.
Seeing that gave me some mixed emotions. It's not that I was broken up that Jim wasn't speaking (no offense, Jim). I was excited because the kids were up there leading worship and I was proud of the musicians especially. But I was also a little sad that I wasn't there to be a part of it.
You see, in the two years I was at Ship I saw a young, inexperienced drummer turn into very capable drummer and then into a guitar player that was leading a youth Sunday service. I also saw his little brother, our reliable egg shaker and tambourine man, become a good drummer in his own right. When I got to Prince Street, there weren't many instruments being played. But I just got there at the right time. I filled a need of guitar. A college freshman filled the role of bass player. And the two brothers got an into-the-fire learning experience as they not only learned to play in a band, they were learning their instruments at the same time!
I remember getting together with those kids to try and teach them "God of Wonders" for a youth performance. Those first few practice sessions had some choppy waters to navigate. We couldn't keep a tune or a rhythm, but the young musicians progressed so quickly.
Later, I even stepped in and played and even sang with them on a couple of occasions. Being a part of the growth and evolution of something like that is pretty darn cool. No one will ever accuse me of Phil Keaggy in terms of guitar prowess and no one will ever confuse with Chris Tomlin as a worship leader, but am always grateful for the two years I spent sharing my meager talents with the folks there, especially the kids. But as good as those memories are and as much as I'd like to still be a part of the group, it makes me smile all the more that they have kept it going and have no need for me any more.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A good, LONG walk spoiled
There is nothing like hitting the links on a brisk spring Saturday afternoon.
I decided to check out one of Erie's many local courses that I had not yet played. I drove out to little Girard, Pa., actually outside of Girard and off the beaten path to a place called Elk Valley. When I arrived it didn't seem that busy and I walked over to the club house that looked like a converted barn. There was a group of three ahead of me, but no problem, I'd just take my time on the putting green prior to teeing off.
The first thing that surprised me was the price. It was $10 to walk nine, but holy cow, what a bargain! When I pay that kind of price, I envision playing a burnt out municipal course with poorly manicured greens or usually a very short course. Take Riverside back home for instance. It's a course of fair length but horribly maintained. Some courses, like Wilson or St. Mary's aren't necessarily short but everything is squeezed together that it makes it almost unfair. Orchard Ponds in Erie is a course I love. They take great care of it but it's so short that every hole is a driver and pitching wedge.
Not Elk Valley. The layout is well designed and challenging. The fairways are tight but it won't kill you if you miss. But my favorite part about it was the length and the size and speed of the greens. The greens were huge, in perfect shape and very fast. I love courses with big greens. It makes me feel like I playing on a pro course. That is what separates good courses from the bad. There is water that comes into play and forces you to shape the ball off the tee and think out approach shots. However, there is not a single bunker on the front.
I played from the back tees today. I wish I would have played the back nine too but I just didn't have 18 in me today. The back tees are significantly more challenging, offering tougher angles, and a couple of the holes are diabolical, especially when the wind is whipping like today. The par 3, fifth hole is 203 and uphill. Anything to the left or long and you pay the death penalty. But there is a row of trees down the right that makes you want to stay left. The sixth hole is about as pretty a hole as I've ever played. It's 590 yards with a creek on the right and it cuts across the fairway to challenge your approach. The scorecard lists No. 9 as 453 but the tees were back to 493 today. And it's all uphill and dead into the wind. This is one of those holes that proves your manhood. Just grip it and rip it.
As you can see, I really liked the course. But the big problem is this. The course is so nice for such a great price that EVERYONE plays it. Play is very,very slow and you might as well get used to someone watching you tee off on every hole. The group ahead of me wasn't the problem. It was just so busy that it got log jammed. Standing and waiting several minutes between almost every shot makes it difficult to keep loose and keep in rhythm. I still managed a 44 despite the windy conditions, the fact that I was playing there for the first time, and I had to stand and wait so much. I didn't have a stop watch going, but I believe it took me nearly 2 1/2 hours to play. That's at least an hour more than it usually takes. I can make it around Orchard Ponds in just over an hour.
But hey, a top-notch course for 10 bucks? I can't complain that much.
I decided to check out one of Erie's many local courses that I had not yet played. I drove out to little Girard, Pa., actually outside of Girard and off the beaten path to a place called Elk Valley. When I arrived it didn't seem that busy and I walked over to the club house that looked like a converted barn. There was a group of three ahead of me, but no problem, I'd just take my time on the putting green prior to teeing off.
The first thing that surprised me was the price. It was $10 to walk nine, but holy cow, what a bargain! When I pay that kind of price, I envision playing a burnt out municipal course with poorly manicured greens or usually a very short course. Take Riverside back home for instance. It's a course of fair length but horribly maintained. Some courses, like Wilson or St. Mary's aren't necessarily short but everything is squeezed together that it makes it almost unfair. Orchard Ponds in Erie is a course I love. They take great care of it but it's so short that every hole is a driver and pitching wedge.
Not Elk Valley. The layout is well designed and challenging. The fairways are tight but it won't kill you if you miss. But my favorite part about it was the length and the size and speed of the greens. The greens were huge, in perfect shape and very fast. I love courses with big greens. It makes me feel like I playing on a pro course. That is what separates good courses from the bad. There is water that comes into play and forces you to shape the ball off the tee and think out approach shots. However, there is not a single bunker on the front.
I played from the back tees today. I wish I would have played the back nine too but I just didn't have 18 in me today. The back tees are significantly more challenging, offering tougher angles, and a couple of the holes are diabolical, especially when the wind is whipping like today. The par 3, fifth hole is 203 and uphill. Anything to the left or long and you pay the death penalty. But there is a row of trees down the right that makes you want to stay left. The sixth hole is about as pretty a hole as I've ever played. It's 590 yards with a creek on the right and it cuts across the fairway to challenge your approach. The scorecard lists No. 9 as 453 but the tees were back to 493 today. And it's all uphill and dead into the wind. This is one of those holes that proves your manhood. Just grip it and rip it.
As you can see, I really liked the course. But the big problem is this. The course is so nice for such a great price that EVERYONE plays it. Play is very,very slow and you might as well get used to someone watching you tee off on every hole. The group ahead of me wasn't the problem. It was just so busy that it got log jammed. Standing and waiting several minutes between almost every shot makes it difficult to keep loose and keep in rhythm. I still managed a 44 despite the windy conditions, the fact that I was playing there for the first time, and I had to stand and wait so much. I didn't have a stop watch going, but I believe it took me nearly 2 1/2 hours to play. That's at least an hour more than it usually takes. I can make it around Orchard Ponds in just over an hour.
But hey, a top-notch course for 10 bucks? I can't complain that much.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
borrrrrrrring
There isn't much to say about today...I'm still try to adapt to life without games to work every other day.
I mentioned a couple blogs ago about the importance of reliance on God. Something else I picked up last night was how reliance goes hand-in-hand with being "childlike." This is something I should blog about tomorrow night.
Maybe something interesting to read for once.
I mentioned a couple blogs ago about the importance of reliance on God. Something else I picked up last night was how reliance goes hand-in-hand with being "childlike." This is something I should blog about tomorrow night.
Maybe something interesting to read for once.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Not much going on
Like I said yesterday, this is my first summer not working in concrete. And even though I've been in sports information for three years now, this is my first summer doing it full time.
Everything slows so quickly. My spring wrap up is pretty much finished, so I guess its time to start working on the fall.
The weather couldn't be nicer here in Erie right now. I went out a little earlier than usual because of the Celtics game tonight and the courts were filled with people playing hoops, kids were outside running in the yards, people were mowing grass and working in the flowerbeds. The smell of all the trees and flowers in bloom is so nice. All that makes me wish I had my own house so I could go work in the yard and spend time outside. It's tough to do that living in an apartment.
I also found out tonight that Third Day is releasing a new album soon. In a video, the band members talked about how they wanted to challenge themselves musically because they felt like they had gotten comfortable in the same old, same old lately. I totally agree with that assessment as they haven't produced a really solid album in quite a while. The first single is already out and Chris Daughtry is actually singing back up on it. Kind of an odd pairing, but the guy has a great voice and I'm sure he'll add some punch to the song. I'm looking forward to the release but am cautiously optimistic.
Everything slows so quickly. My spring wrap up is pretty much finished, so I guess its time to start working on the fall.
The weather couldn't be nicer here in Erie right now. I went out a little earlier than usual because of the Celtics game tonight and the courts were filled with people playing hoops, kids were outside running in the yards, people were mowing grass and working in the flowerbeds. The smell of all the trees and flowers in bloom is so nice. All that makes me wish I had my own house so I could go work in the yard and spend time outside. It's tough to do that living in an apartment.
I also found out tonight that Third Day is releasing a new album soon. In a video, the band members talked about how they wanted to challenge themselves musically because they felt like they had gotten comfortable in the same old, same old lately. I totally agree with that assessment as they haven't produced a really solid album in quite a while. The first single is already out and Chris Daughtry is actually singing back up on it. Kind of an odd pairing, but the guy has a great voice and I'm sure he'll add some punch to the song. I'm looking forward to the release but am cautiously optimistic.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Welcome Back
My goodness its been a while since I last blogged.
I don't think I have much of an excuse other than I was out of town Wednesday and Thursday and I spent the weekend wrapping up baseball season. Just think, there are no more athletic events at Mercyhurst this year. It is definitely a weird feeling to know that I won't be going home to finish concrete with Dad this summer. It will be the first time since I was in 8th grade and even before that that I didn't spend my entire summer slopping around in the gray stuff.
Now I'm a full-time working stiff. There are some things that could shake up here in the next couple of weeks. There are actually four possibilities, each with a different probability of occurring. I do know, though, that the summer in sports information is much, much slower than when the kids are on campus, and it might be time to take up a hobby.
Dad started doing some wood working and I've enjoyed doing that in the past, but I don't have many of my own tools and an apartment isn't the ideal setting for a wood shop. Maybe I could start refereeing basketball games or umpiring baseball games. Maybe I could find an old man basketball league. My ideal summer would be play golf. But I hardly make enough money to support that hobby. In fact, few people do.
If any one has any suggestions, I'd be glad to here it.
I also had a lengthy conversation with a good friend tonight. Being fairly young, it feels kind of odd to have some look up to me, but its a good feeling. I just hope that the advice that I can offer is the right advice.
By the way, last Thursday was my birthday. The 25th birthday makes me feel really old. Some of those who know me know that a long time ago I put my life on a script, or maybe a timeline is a better way of saying it. Up until this year I was right on pace. But I just turned 25 and I'm getting married in September...a year ahead of schedule. But hey, we just couldn't wait any longer. And for this, I'm glad my schedule got changed.
I don't think I have much of an excuse other than I was out of town Wednesday and Thursday and I spent the weekend wrapping up baseball season. Just think, there are no more athletic events at Mercyhurst this year. It is definitely a weird feeling to know that I won't be going home to finish concrete with Dad this summer. It will be the first time since I was in 8th grade and even before that that I didn't spend my entire summer slopping around in the gray stuff.
Now I'm a full-time working stiff. There are some things that could shake up here in the next couple of weeks. There are actually four possibilities, each with a different probability of occurring. I do know, though, that the summer in sports information is much, much slower than when the kids are on campus, and it might be time to take up a hobby.
Dad started doing some wood working and I've enjoyed doing that in the past, but I don't have many of my own tools and an apartment isn't the ideal setting for a wood shop. Maybe I could start refereeing basketball games or umpiring baseball games. Maybe I could find an old man basketball league. My ideal summer would be play golf. But I hardly make enough money to support that hobby. In fact, few people do.
If any one has any suggestions, I'd be glad to here it.
I also had a lengthy conversation with a good friend tonight. Being fairly young, it feels kind of odd to have some look up to me, but its a good feeling. I just hope that the advice that I can offer is the right advice.
By the way, last Thursday was my birthday. The 25th birthday makes me feel really old. Some of those who know me know that a long time ago I put my life on a script, or maybe a timeline is a better way of saying it. Up until this year I was right on pace. But I just turned 25 and I'm getting married in September...a year ahead of schedule. But hey, we just couldn't wait any longer. And for this, I'm glad my schedule got changed.
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