The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[chisag]

3 minutes ago, aenemated said:

Everything about getting to the point of playing a gig is awful. Every bit of it. Then for those like ... ~60mins, it's all worth it. 

 

 

 

 

... Haha Showbiz, I hear ya amigo we are performers! Nothing like a 5am call time and getting to the set at 5:30 tired and not in a great mood. Make up and hair til 7am then sitting around til we start shooting at 8:30am IF they get the lighting right so maybe not til 9-9:30am. Four hours after arriving. Like you I enjoy being in front of the camera with 42 people hanging on my every word and nailing it, but the rest of it is excruciating. But that's why we make the Big Bucks! 😎

[aenemated]

3 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Haha Showbiz, I hear ya amigo we are performers! Nothing like a 5am call time and getting to the set at 5:30 tired and not in a great mood. Make up and hair til 7am then sitting around til we start shooting at 8:30am IF they get the lighting right so maybe not til 9-9:30am. Four hours after arriving. Like you I enjoy being in front of the camera with 42 people hanging on my every word and nailing it, but the rest of it is excruciating. But that's why we make the Big Bucks! 😎

 

Haha I remember one tour day, I'd been sitting in a venue in Ft Wayne for HOURS and I called Leah all "Why am I sitting in this cursed dump in the midwest? What did I do in life to deserve this fate?"

 

... then like a few hours later "BABY! IT WAS AN AMAZING SHOW!" 😂

[chisag]

 

...  A few times on stage I was lucky enough to completely lose myself in my character and it became 100% real. That is when acting is at its very best as you are teetering on the edge of insanity. In one play I was having that experience but two women in their 80's were in the front row and I had to walk right to the edge of the stage and take a chug of a pint I pulled from my back pocket. Filled with tea and just enough bourbon so I could give a genuine reaction, one of the women said all too loudly "Oh dear, I can smell it on his breath" and a few near her laughed in the middle of a very intense moment. Pulled me right back into the real world. 😡  

[Mrgreen36]

19 hours ago, chisag said:

... Well, that's kinda me dude. 🤔 Granted I was a DJ for 12 years and music has always been a big part of my life. Not so much "background" noise, just an appreciation for music. I don't use earbuds or headphones but have an audiophile sound system for critical listening, a near audiophile Bang and Olufsen stereo in my GV60, two Sonos 100's with a Sonos mini sub for casual listening around the house, and a nice system in my bedroom. TV on, not so much. 

 

I don't watch TV.  Music is my thing.  I've amassed 100 records this year and honestly, its my favorite way to listen to music.  No skipping songs.  

[NCLancer]

Returned back yesterday to North Carolina after 3 weeks on the road as Mrs. NCL and I visited family and friends in northern New York and then travelled over to Michigan to play 3 days with some friends and their group.  Played 8 times on 7 courses in 3 states adding 5 new courses to my list.

 

Myself and 7 other guys got together in Ticonderoga in 1990 to play and we have kept up the tradition as this year was our 36th annual Limited Knowledge Golf Association golf tournament.  We have different people host each year at different courses and this year we hosted in Plattsburgh at The Barracks.  We have morphed into a 4-person scramble with teams chosen by the host.  We had 8 teams competing and with a 4 under 68 2 teams were tied so we ventured to Hole 1 for a playoff and Mrs NCL sunk the winning birdie putt from 15 feet on the 1st playoff hole to win it for her team.  I felt like a proud PGA Tour wife on the fringe waiting to run out on the green to congratulate her!    

 

Awards/dinner/cake/firepit were back at our house and I think the day was a rousing success.

 

I certainly have more to report but I've got a lawn to mow!  3 weeks away and a ton of rain have made the grass/weeds that I call a lawn very lush...and it needs some attention. 

 

[touch]

3 hours ago, NCLancer said:

Returned back yesterday to North Carolina after 3 weeks on the road as Mrs. NCL and I visited family and friends in northern New York and then travelled over to Michigan to play 3 days with some friends and their group.  Played 8 times on 7 courses in 3 states adding 5 new courses to my list.

 

Myself and 7 other guys got together in Ticonderoga in 1990 to play and we have kept up the tradition as this year was our 36th annual Limited Knowledge Golf Association golf tournament.  We have different people host each year at different courses and this year we hosted in Plattsburgh at The Barracks.  We have morphed into a 4-person scramble with teams chosen by the host.  We had 8 teams competing and with a 4 under 68 2 teams were tied so we ventured to Hole 1 for a playoff and Mrs NCL sunk the winning birdie putt from 15 feet on the 1st playoff hole to win it for her team.  I felt like a proud PGA Tour wife on the fringe waiting to run out on the green to congratulate her!    

 

Awards/dinner/cake/firepit were back at our house and I think the day was a rousing success.

 

I certainly have more to report but I've got a lawn to mow!  3 weeks away and a ton of rain have made the grass/weeds that I call a lawn very lush...and it needs some attention. 

 

 

Clutch putt by Mrs NCL in the playoff for the win! ⭐ Fine stuff indeed. Please tell the lady of the house that LP says congratulations. Sounds like you had a nice 3 week getaway. Did you say hello to the Great Lake State for this old guy? 

Happy mowing. 

Edited July 23 by touch

[Bob Cat]

17 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

 

I don't watch TV.  Music is my thing.  I've amassed 100 records this year and honestly, its my favorite way to listen to music.  No skipping songs.  

 

@Mrgreen36 If you're near Logansport, check out Bonus Pints. Refurbished old structure that's 1/3rd record store, 1/3rd arcade, and 1/3rd cafe with GREAT food.  https://www.bonuspintslogansport.com/

There's a second floor (the Bonus Level... duh) with a few small, leased specialty shops.

[Petethreeput]

Sometimes I wonder what the general population thinks about.

 

A couple of days ago the rangers found an abandoned camp fire.  What are you thinking as we are in a drought and fire danger is extreme. 

 

And this is on the heels of a fire that blew up 5 miles east of town on the mountain.  They don't know the exact cause, but they have ruled out natural causes.  As of this morning, thanks to some cooler and wetter temps is now 25% contained.  And fortunately for the many homes below the fire the prevailing winds blew it away from them.  Friday night was like watching a movie from faraway.  One spectator estimated the flames to be about 30' high as we watched it run up the mountain in the night sky.

 

Welcome to the summer in the dry northern rockies.

[mshills]

Cheats, you suck!
A 22.3 shoots a 79 in comp about once every NEVER. 

 

The DoorDash delivery of 80# of sand for the cart is one of the greatest responses I’ve ever seen. 

 

I’d be ostracized at my place if I had a guest cheat like that. 
 

 

[touch]

Yesterday thunderstorms were all around us but none of them ever came overhead and disrupted our round. The high temp only hit 82* so the heat didn't effect me nearly as much as it has during the last 3-4 rounds that I've played. I had an absolute blast competing in the Rematch even though I had a few bad holes. 

 

This afternoon I am playing with an assistant pro and a caddie where I work. Again the temperature will stay in the low 80's and there is no chance of any storms. I'm grateful for the better weather this week for my two rounds of golf. 

 

 

 

[chisag]

50 minutes ago, mshills said:

Cheats, you suck!
A 22.3 shoots a 79 in comp about once every NEVER. 

 

 

... But this is a competition and everyone knows you play much more relaxed when in an actual competition with something on the line. 🤣  You'd think this guy would feel some shame but he obviously started setting up his cheating in advance so he is probably very proud of himself. 

Reminds me of the time I played with a developer in his early 30's slicked back hair and looked like a Mob boss's kid. This was back in the late 90's in IL building houses next to the course and said he thought it was pretty funny that owners were paying an extra $25k to get a "golf course view" when the city was gonna put up trees and in some cases nets that was gonna completely block their view. The nets would actually be an eye sore and I said that was a 💩 thing to do and he replied they should do their due diligence and if not they deserve to be taken advantage of. Well before its time since there are now commercials covering this but I said "How the F do you sleep at night?" and he laughed responding "On the best bed money can buy!" Fwiw, he was a terrible golfer. 

[chisag]

2 hours ago, touch said:

Yesterday thunderstorms were all around us but none of them ever came overhead and disrupted our round.

 

 

... While I always feel for you guys that get hit with thunderstorms when rain isn't needed or wanted, we had a pleasant surprise yesterday. 15% chance of rain and for about 10 minutes we had a nice light but consistent shower. While it doesn't help trees/plants much if at all, at least it clears out the sky and washes the dust everything. It was really nice. 

Monsoon season starts 6/15 and normally by this time Phoenix has .6" of rain but so far this season we have had .16" of rain. I guess that's why it is called a desert. 

Edited July 23 by chisag

[touch]

Poor Cleveland.    😄

 

 

 

[Triple Lindy]

7 minutes ago, touch said:

Poor Cleveland.    😄

 

 

 

And sponsored by Dude Wipes? I had to Google that and yep - just what I suspected. I guess when the team name is the Browns….

[mshills]

Son is 0-3 at Summer Nationals today. 
 

No excuses, he’s just not feeling great, lacking energy and intensity. Inconsistency at 15 years old? You don’t say!

[Triple Lindy]

4 minutes ago, mshills said:

Son is 0-3 at Summer Nationals today. 
 

No excuses, he’s just not feeling great, lacking energy and intensity. Inconsistency at 15 years old? You don’t say!

Exactly! Sounds like he’s got a good Dad to give him perspective.

[mshills]

37 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

Exactly! Sounds like he’s got a good Dad to give him perspective.

Thanks. My job now is accountability on putting the work in. Diet, lifting, going to practice, drilling, weight mgt, etc. But my role is much less now as it’s mostly athlete driven. 

 

Coach holds them accountable on results.
 

Parents parent. Coaches coach. 

[Mrgreen36]

10 hours ago, Bob Cat said:

 

@Mrgreen36 If you're near Logansport, check out Bonus Pints. Refurbished old structure that's 1/3rd record store, 1/3rd arcade, and 1/3rd cafe with GREAT food.  https://www.bonuspintslogansport.com/

There's a second floor (the Bonus Level... duh) with a few small, leased specialty shops.

 

About 2 hours away.  Numerous covered bridges in that area as well.  Be a great day date trip.  Thanks.  

[touch]

@Double Mocha Man

 

From this afternoon, some of the fans on the course. All were blowing briskly and oscillating.

 

 

[touch]

Last minute change to the starting line up. 

 

When I got to the course I learned that Nicolas was too tired after working his shift running the Junior Club Championship and Mr S the caddie got a last minute loop so both were not going to play. I was suddenly a single. I rolled some putts and then got in my cart ready to drive to the first tee when a member called out, "Hey Lawrence are you playing by yourself? " Yes Doc was my answer. "Would you like to play with Mr X and me?"  It would be my pleasure. Dr E and I have been trying to play together for over a year but he lives in Charlotte and we have quite different schedules.  

 

81* Partly Cloudy  55% humidity  10-15 mph winds 

 

I hit my approach wedge to 3 feet on #1 and opened with a birdie. I made a second birdie on the Par 5 7th. 3 bogeys and two birdies and 4 pars on the front.  I made the turn at +1. I got a little tired on the back 9 because I was playing on back to back days and had climbed plenty of hills playing CCA .  5 bogeys and the rest pars on the back 9. 

I ended with a +6 76 and was pleased. I was more consistent today compared to yesterday. 

It was great to finally play with the Doctor. Doc uses a rather old Scotty Phantom X and it has a nice worn look to its finish. The thing is a monster. It's a good bit bigger than my Odyssey. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 24 by touch

[chisag]

1 hour ago, mshills said:

Thanks. My job now is accountability on putting the work in. Diet, lifting, going to practice, drilling, weight mgt, etc. But my role is much less now as it’s mostly athlete driven. 

 

Coach holds them accountable on results.
 

Parents parent. Coaches coach.  😍

 

 

 

... Great stuff Dad. I was a little disappointed my son was so good at baseball and I started coaching him in the 2nd grade but he just wouldn't put in much work or effort other than actually playing. I tried to give him advice and he took some of it but mostly just would't work hard or put in the kind of practice needed to be elite. One of the best hitters I ever saw but his fielding was average at best. Then when he discovered football in the 7th grade he started working hard. By his freshman year he was one of the hardest workers on the team and that continued though college. 

... I believe athletes are self driven, then they can be guided and encouraged. But that willingness to go above and beyond has to come from within. Many parents just don't understand this and push their kids right out of a sport. Great to hear you have such a good handle on it and I have enjoyed following along with you and your son!  

[mshills]

8 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

 

... Great stuff Dad. I was a little disappointed my son was so good at baseball and I started coaching him in the 2nd grade but he just wouldn't put in much work or effort other than actually playing. I tried to give him advice and he took some of it but mostly just would't work hard or put in the kind of practice needed to be elite. One of the best hitters I ever saw but his fielding was average at best. Then when he discovered football in the 7th grade he started working hard. By his freshman year he was one of the hardest workers on the team and that continued though college. 

... I believe athletes are self driven, then they can be guided and encouraged. But that willingness to go above and beyond has to come from within. Many parents just don't understand this and push their kids right out of a sport. Great to hear you have such a good handle on it and I have enjoyed following along with you and your son!  

Thanks!  Boy came back out and torched his next opponent with the tech fall. He’s pretty mentally strong….which you have to be after getting your butt beat 3 straight to go back out there and do your job. 
 

My thinking is by the time a kid gets to HS, if they are pretty good and want to be really good, they generally have to direct it themselves, but often a kick in the ### from a parent is needed too. I definitely could / should have been pushed more in sports at that age. 
 

My son decided he wanted to change clubs last year to a rougher crowd and a club that travels more to compete. He generally selects what events he wants to enter and at what weight, and he is super disciplined about knowing what he puts in his body and what it causes. I have to be careful not to push him too much because his club and HS team coaches are really tough so he gets plenty of that from them. Not oldschool what used to be thought of as tough but was just abusive. I won’t have any of that, but they do expect commitment and results….in return they will literally do anything for their athletes to be successful. 

[chisag]

1 hour ago, mshills said:

My thinking is by the time a kid gets to HS, if they are pretty good and want to be really good, they generally have to direct it themselves, but often a kick in the ### from a parent is needed too. I definitely could / should have been pushed more in sports at that age. 

 

 

... Right there with you. It takes a strong mental attitude to want be better than the other guy and determined to do what it takes. We grew up in a different era of course and pretty much all we had was sports so I never needed a push. My Dad was gone my whole youth trining for Special Forces then 2 tours in VN. But he had no interest in sports anyway. I was 2 years younger than my old brother and played everything with him and his fiends. I had to really push myself to keep up with kids two years older at the age. Kill the man with the ball was great because they wanted to beat my butt and often let me catch the ball so they could put a hurtin' on me. Haha the 1950's. Taught me to be both tough and more importantly elusive which helped in all sports and especially QB. But today with sooooo many distractions I imagine some might need some parental influence to get them to channel the effort needed to be the best they can be. 

... That said it can always go the other way as well. My best pitcher had parents that rode him hard, especially his Mom. You now the ole "Throw strikes Caleb!" ... 'Don't walk this kid!!!" ... "what are you doing!?!?" and in the championship game he loaded the bases with 2 walks and a hit batter, something he never did. I went out to the mound with his Mom screaming "Straighten him out coach!" and I asked him if he had seen Sponge Bob Square Pants. It was a new show then. He looked at me and said he had never heard of it. I told him it was a cartoon but pretty funny and had some cool lessons in every episode and started to walk back to the bench when he said "Coach! Aren't you gonna say anything about me pitching?" and I smiled and said "Nah, you got that." He struck out the side and after the game his Mom wanted to know what I told him on the mound so I let her know exactly what I said. She said that didn't make any sense and I said "It did to Caleb". 

... I guess the difficult part about parenting is knowing when to just support them and when to give them that "kick in the ###". 

[mshills]

6 hours ago, chisag said:

... I guess the difficult part about parenting is knowing when to just support them and when to give them that "kick in the ###". 

Isn’t that the truth!

 

I do not react to results. That is Coach’s job. If I’m yelling at him saying “take the shot” or “GET OFF BOTTOM” (the worst!) or “strike him out” (ok I would not yell that, I don’t think he’s ever put a baseball glove on), I mean come on, you think the kid doesn’t know that? You think a wrestler wants to be on bottom? That doesn’t help at all, and when he’s in a busy hall with 75 mats in there and people yelling all over the place, he needs to hear one and only one voice — Coach. 
 

I want both boys to understand: control the inputs. So yeah, I will make you go to that Sunday AM practice no one likes. I will make sure you eat the right things, and you will go lift on schedule. That doesn’t mean you go unbeaten, only generational talents do that. But the more work you put in and the more focused work, the better your results will be, that is a fact. 
 

Golf is a great teacher on this topic. A player can do everything right. Focused putting green practice. Clock drills. Ladder drills. Learn to read greens. Start reading as you are walking up the fairway. Nail your routine. Control your nerves, breathing, and heartbeat. Make that perfect stroke you’ve made 10,000 times. At that point it’s out of your hands. Some find the jar. Some don’t. Sometimes you missed the read. Other times who knows why it didn’t drop? But if the player embraces and owns every single step that came before that ball started rolling, he will become a better putter.

 

Control the inputs. 

[touch]

It's a first. Today is the first day with the Stimp reading over 13 this summer. Yikes! Thank goodness it was only 11.2 when I played yesterday.

 

@Double Mocha Man

Here's your weekly ivy photo.

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

Just now, touch said:

It's a first. Today is the first day with the Stimp reading over 13 this summer. Yikes! Thank goodness it was only 11.2 when I played yesterday.

 

@Double Mocha Man

Here's your weekly ivy photo.

 

 

All that ivy saves on paint.

[Bob Cat]

[chisag]

12 hours ago, touch said:

It's a first. Today is the first day with the Stimp reading over 13 this summer. Yikes! Thank goodness it was only 11.2 when I played yesterday.

 

 

... While I love playing fast greens, anything over 12.5 is just too fast. I think for most courses 11.5 is perfect so your 11.2 musta been a treat. I have played Aguila behind a tournament when they ran 13 and the entire day was an exercise in defensive approach and short game shots. Nothing worse than intentionally landing short of a green because it is better than 6 feet past the hole as a miss will end up off the green anyway. I imagine your members are used to that speed but also playing defensive golf most of the round. 

Edited July 25 by chisag

[mshills]

4 hours ago, touch said:

It's a first. Today is the first day with the Stimp reading over 13 this summer. Yikes! Thank goodness it was only 11.2 when I played yesterday.

Dang that is quick! So much rain for us this summer ours haven’t gotten near that speed yet. We’ve been running 10.5-11 most days, the slower days are when they are wet. 

[chisag]

9 minutes ago, mshills said:

Dang that is quick! So much rain for us this summer ours haven’t gotten near that speed yet. We’ve been running 10.5-11 most days, the slower days are when they are wet. 

 

 

... Raven is treated and heavily sanded right now so maybe a 9 right now? $225 in season but joining Arcis for $89 a month reduces the cost to "free" after 2pm but $39 for the mandatory cart. And I don't walk in this heat anyway. But they lower the price to $29 for two weeks when they aerate/sand which is nice as many don't. But I really have to hammer some putts and then watch my ball play Chinese checkers with the holes.