Super Week

This is and could be a super week. First it is Super Bowl week. It could be a super snow storm week according to all the weather forecasters. And, it could be a super big week in Egypt. As they say, there is never a dull moment around here. Oh well, I can't control any of it so I think I'll just sit back and wait for Spring. But in the meantime I'd better get more gas for the snow blower,

Nice crowd on Friday for lunch. Dr. J and Fred S were there along with most of the regulars. TTS was a no show. Hope he didn't get the "cold" he thought he was catching on Wednesday. Twinkle Toes showed up looking like he was homeless. The hoodie and old trench coat were a great combination. Maybe he was trying to keep his identity hidden. The SD went back to California to pack personal stuff. They sold the house by the sea and hope to close in a couple of weeks. Fred S wanted to know if any of us had the scoop on the new Taylor Made driver. Note to Gilhooley - there may be a castoff in your future.

Well I'd better get moving if I'm going to get gas and extra provisions.

The State of The JR/SRs

Since everyone else is doing it I thought we should have a State of the JR/SRs message as we wrap up one year and look forward to a new season. So here goes.

2010 was full of challenges. Many we all know about and probably a lot we don't know about. But, we all seem to have made it. We all are a year older and lost a little off the tee and some have a bigger twitch when we use the flat stick. Handicaps moved up as our games were challenged by the ever maturing course we all know as BCC. Even the club made it. There seemed to always be questions and rumors about our viability, but we're still here. Fortunately we did not lose anyone to ill health or even worse. Now let's look to 2011.

The future looks bright. Isn't that what they all say? We will all approach the coming season with great expectations of conquering our faults and lowering our handicaps. Maybe we'll be successful but only time will tell. Most of us will try to fix our games with technology. There 's a slew of new clubs out there just waiting to snapped up by desperate golfers. My thought on that is save your money! We'd be better off to learn to play with what we have. Forget buying those expensive balls. Most of you can't hit them with your slow swing speeds and you usually lose them anyway. Spend your spare time practicing, especially your short game. Don't listen to your friends swing tips. While well meaning most of them have the same problems you do. If all else fails break down and take a lesson (the Pros have to eat too). Finally, throw out all those ratty shirts you've been wearing for the past five year. You'll look better and if you can't play at least look the part. And, get some new gloves.

Let's all get ready and start a stretching program; go to the Dome or simulator; take a Spring trip if you don't spend the winter in a warm climate. Most of all think positive and thing better golf in 2011.

BRRRR!

When I was a kid my parents used to refer to this type of cold weather as brass monkey weather. I never quite understood the reference until many years later when my powers of deductive thought were developing. After I got over the shock of understanding my parents could have such thoughts I had a good chuckle about it (including myself for being so dumb). But, it really is brass monkey weather.

The Nurse and I went to G-town Friday night so we could catch the Rabbit Wrangler's basketball game on Saturday morning. It was below zero when we awoke on Saturday and our car took offense at sitting out all night. It worked fine but made a lot of strange noises for a while . Unfortunately they didn't win the game. It came down to the last shot (which they missed) but the game was fairly exciting. It's amazing what kids learn to do athletically in the fourth grade.

We had a good crowd on Friday for the weekly gathering. Didn't solve any world problems but did have a lot of lively conversation. Mostly the regular crowd but LBB made an appearance sporting some new facial hair. TTS tore himself away from his oven long enough to come. He was baking pies that he was supposed to bring to a gathering on Saturday night. But, he ate them before anyone else could have any. Now that's cold.

Must go and fix breakfast. Hope to see everyone this Friday. Be safe and warm.

Da Bears

No I'm not talking about the famous Christmas bears that reside in our storage closet, but rather the Chicago type that will play the Packers next week for the right to go to the Super Bowl. That at least insures there will be one team I can root for. Now if the Steelers can win it will a fun Super Bowel to watch. It isn't very often you get three out four teams in the conference finals that you like (and I'm not a big pro football fan).

This past weekend was one of those where you really didn't want to go out. I was content to veg in front of the TV and watch football and golf for the most part. Maybe I had a touch of flu since I didn't feel up to par Saturday and Sunday. Seem to be back to normal today so there won't be any excuses not to do anything. Now if the weather will just warm up, and the sun come out life would be better because it is always good.

Nice to see TGWH, TTS, LTG and Twinkle Toes on Friday at lunch. Since the SD came back from Caliiifornia we might expect him this week. You never know I might even bring the dice cup for the SOTD. As Dirty Harry once said, "well do you feel lucky?". We'll see won't we.

Stay warm and be safe.

Another Long Drive

Well, I missed you guys so much we came straight home from HH without stopping. Actually we left a day early because we weren't sure what the weather was going to be like. It turned out to be another long drive without any weather issues. A few snow flurries and a lot of snow on the ground starting about Columbia, SC. The temperature didn't deviate more than 5 degrees from 28F the whole trip. In fact it took about the same amount of time to drive home as it did to go there. The only real negative was the AM radio reception. I don't understand how you can get Detroit and St. Louis in West Virginia but can't get Columbus.

After driving 14 hours I thought that it would be nice to sit in my recliner and watch the Sony Open in Hawaii. So I turn on the TV and find they're showing the final round of the 2010 tournament because the first round of the 2011 tournament is washed out due to rain. Bummer! The forecast calls for more rain over the next couple of days. Real bummer if you are on vacation there. But at least it is a warm rain. Having made that trip a number of times I know I would be very unhappy if it rained on my vacation in paradise. We have experienced rain a couple of times for a day and it's no fun to sit in you room and watch.

Well off to blow the snow off the drive and go to the grocery store. Hope to a bunch of you at lunch.

THE MANY FACES OF HILTON HEAD

The two pictures should say it all. The first is a cold rainy day and the second is a nice sunny day. Oh well at least there is the ocean.

The Sun

Greetings from the Low Country! After a rather long day of driving on Friday (about 13.5 hours and 818 miles) we arrived in HH to mild temperatures. The drive was uneventful except for a few moments of white knuckles due to the weather and rush hour in the Charlotte metro area. The guard at the gate at our time share wanted to know if that was salt that made are car look white. One of the first things we did on Saturday was find a car wash and pay $12. 00 for a basic wash (can you spell expensive?). But it has been sunny!! A little cool and breezy but otherwise pretty nice. Based on the weather forecast we should get rain tomorrow and possibly freezing temps. But, we have a great view of the ocean and great sunrises.

I can't believe the news. It is hard to imagine what was going on at that Safeway store in Tuscon. What a tragedy.

A couple of good playoff games yesterday. Didn't watch the first, but was sorry the Colts lost. I did watch a lot of the golf at Kapalua and thought about playing there last February. With such great scenery it is hard to play golf. And, the weather is really boring 365 days a year. I'll volunteer to go back anytime, just give me a mickey for the flight.

More later this week. Be safe and warm.

This and That

I've spent most of the day taking care of things that have be done before you go out of town. It doesn't seem like anything all that important but just things that you think about before you head out the door for more than a few days.

Well OSU finally got the monkey off it's back and beat an SEC team. It wasn't easy or pretty but the W was on the right side of the ledger. I have to say that was one of the weirdest finishes to a game I've seen in a long time. Also, where do they find these referees? There were a lot of missed calls both ways (thank goodness).

OSU trivia question - In 2003 what team did OSU team defeat 44-38 in the first ever overtime game played at Ohio Stadium?

Went to dinner last night with the Mexican crowd. TTS showed up and was in rare form. His delicate French palate kicked in when he tasted St. Gwen's burrito with hot sauce on it. I've never seen anyone down a 20 oz. rum and coke so fast. I'll bet his ham loaf is really bland. A quick note --LBB didn't know TTS really made ham loaf. He has always thought that was a joke. After he learned the real story he wanted to know if TTS uses Spam.

Since we are leaving in the morning for HH I won't have the pleasure of sharing lunch with all you characters. So be safe and I'll see you in a week.

Trivia answer - North Carolina State.

The Crystal Ball

Well another New Year's Eve in the history books. Once again I managed to stay awake for the big event. We were with friends and watching the festivities at Times Square. I was so amazed that Dick Clark was still there I basically missed the ball dropping. Frankly I'm not sure it really did get all the way down. I thought I heard later there was a malfunction. If so it must have been a continuation of the snow removal slow down since Mayor Bloomberg was in charge.

Between watching the Big Ten embarrass themselves and putting away most of our decorations I was looking out the windows longingly at the golf course. And, sure enough there was someone playing #2 at about 3PM. Then to add insult to injury I checked my email a little later and there was the ghinreport with my updated handicap. Then I realized the start of the PGA tour should be this Friday in Hawaii. And us with no plans yet for the winter. Well not exactly. We are going to Hilton Head in a week - may have to put some clubs in the car and hope for good weather for a few days. HH is always a crap shoot in January.

Nice crowd at Bar Louie's on Friday. Watch for the SD's emails for future instructions.