The Secret of Golf

Those of you who play golf understand the false promise of the title of this blog. There are probably 10,000 tips out there on how to play golf well.

And they are as easy to execute as those two famous diet tips - Eat properly and exercise.

Last week I had the game of my life. For me, shooting an 88 was pretty exciting news. I shot 41 on the front nine and 47 on the back. My front nine was a "best ever" score.

And I did it by remembering three things. My Dad calls it "the Canadian Football rule". For those of you unfamiliar, in Canada, football is played using 3 downs instead of the 4 we're used to here.

Here are the "3 downs".

1. Slow down. Practice your swing in slow motion. When you're ready to hit the ball, swing even slower.

2. Hit down. Hit down at the ball to help insure good club contact and to use the club loft correctly.

3. Head down (or stay down, if you prefer). Watch the club head strike the ball. Don't be in a hurry to admire your shot, else face disappointment.

Those rules worked for me (once in a row). I'm heading out for another round this weekend to try out the 3 Downs rules once again.

The good news is that if they don't work this time out, I have another 9,997 tips to try.

Arlen Specter and Brett Favre

Who knew that such diverse people would find their stories intertwined?

A year a go, Brett Favre was faced with losing his "primary". His team was no longer going to support his candidacy as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. And so he changed "parties" and moved to New York. Similarly, Arlen Specter, faced with losing his Republican primary in Pennsylvania, changed teams and moved to the Democrats.

Brett never intended on becoming a Jet - he simply wanted to continue working - to prove that he could still do the job. And so he ran unopposed, in New York. Specter's plan? Run as a Democratic candidate (hopefully) unopposed in his home state of Pennsylvania.

While his new teammates welcomed Brett's experience with open arms, in the locker room, he remained aloof and by the end of the season, his teammates felt that he didn't live up to the hype. His performance was uneven and many of the younger players were suggesting that he be benched.

Spector brings a wealth of experience and a grudge against some of the leadership of his former party. All indications are that he's not really a Democrat and plans on voting against many of the major upcoming legislative initiatives, like Universal Healthcare and EFCA. I suspect that over the course of the next 12 months, he too, will alienate himself from his new teammates.

In the end, it's not about the constituents or the fans.

It's about being selfish. It's all about Arlen Specter and Brett Favre.

Thank you for your service gentlemen. It's time to retire (or be retired).

The Media's Hallmark Holiday

Tomorrow is a "Hallmark Holiday" for most of the media. It's Day 100 in the President's 4 year term - an arbitrary date in which to evaluate how well our new President is doing. One network even has a countdown clock to 100 Days.

How ridiculous is this?

Imagine that this is a football game.

It's the equivalent of evaluating your team's performance at the 4 minute, 7 second mark of the first quarter of the game.

I've watched a lot of football in my time and not once has any network paused at the 4 minute mark to give each team a report card.

Why?

Because it's stupid and provides no insight whatsoever in how the balance of the game will play out. Perhaps the time for reflection is best left until after the game is over. Only then will be have the proper perspective for analysis.

77 Wins

I do love our Milwaukee Brewers. My bride bought me a 4 pack ticket package for Christmas and I'm looking forward to attending each one.

My joy for the upcoming season however is somewhat tempered by reality. Unfortunately to win in the major league, your team needs a solid, injury free, highly talented starting rotation.

We don't have that.

And as much as I want to see our Brewers succeed, it ain't gonna happen.

I love our team pride and our team ownership. But we don't have (and shouldn't spend) the amount of money required to be really competitive.

My prediction for this year? 77 wins. No playoff appearance.

Go Brewers!

Media Prediction

Here's my Media Prediction.

Within six months, David Gregory will frequently be "on assignment", allowing NBC to audition his Meet The Press successor.

These days MTP is almost unwatchable. It should only take the network another 180 days or so to figure that out.

March Madness

It's that time of year again! Spring is in the air. Our March Madness Hoops brackets are all completed.

It's the annual reminder of how stupid the NCAA college football playoff system is.

Track Changes

With all the wrangling going on in the Federal Government these days about who added or deleted legislation in the TARP legislation, I thought it was my civic duty as an I.T. professional to point out to members of Congress, that the United States has the technology to solve that problem.

It's called Track Changes.

Perhaps they should consider using it the next time they write any legislation.

I'm just saying.

Cholesterol Week is Here!

In less than 24 hours, I'll be winging my way to Florida to join in the annual ritual I call Cholesterol Week. I consider it my version of Festivus - the fictional holiday made famous by Jerry Seinfeld.

Cholesterol Week does NOT feature feats of strength, unless you consider hacking our way around the local golf courses, feats of strength.

Each November, my Dad, brother and family friend (Greg) rendez-vous in Pompano Beach Fla for a week of fun and frivolity. Red meat (almost raw) is consumed, along with copious amounts of (preferably cheap) red wine and scotch. Occasionally vegetables make a cameo appearance.

Yes - we go bohemian - at least for a few days.

And while this temporary lifestyle may not be great for our physical health, it is absolutely essential for our mental health!

Made possible by understanding spouses who are likely celebrating the peace and quiet in their own way!

See you in a week!