For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
Wall of Photos
Date: June, 1997
Location: The Jersey Shore
Description: Those Jersey shore photo booths must make a killing during prom weekend, which was when this collage was taken. For the most part, there isn’t anything particularly remarkable about this collection of photos. It’s your standard “we’re dating, we’re kissing!” photos, or the “BFF 4ever!” poses. The reason this photo is in my favorites collection is twofold, but mainly the second. First, we have (in the bottom left) what could only be described as Aaron having his way with Will. That’s all fine and dandy. But when Will stepped into the photo booth alone, we were all quite curious as to what he had up his sleeve. The third strip from the left was the result, and still stands to this day to be the benchmark for photobooth 4-strip photos. I have tried to match it twice, and not succeeded either time. It will be my goal to one day achieve commercialistic photo genius. Until then, my hat’s off to you, Will.
I don’t quite get how math works. After two rounds (one of which was terrible), I was 5 strokes off the last-cash place. Okay, could easily do that.
Today, I shot two solid rounds. In a pro division of 29, the first round I beat 16, lost to 10, and tied two (I was in last card at the time. The second round, I beat 13, lost to 11, and tied 4. I should do some moving, right? Well, sorta. I’m not on last card anymore. But I’m still 5 strokes off the last-cash. Grrr.
This weekend (starting tomorrow) is King of the Lake, the tourney I’ve looked forward to most this year, and I’m scheduled to play an NT. Not only is it a 3-day A tier, I’ve actually played and practiced the courses beforehand! They’re my “home” courses in that they’re all under 2 hours away. I wanted to make some “realistic” goals, and so I did some research. Holy crap I’m surprised what I found.
My problem in golf is I can never put two good rounds together in one day. If I kill it one round, I blow up the next. Or I’ll have two average rounds. So my goal was to throw two 980+ rounds in one day (preferably for every round, but I won’t get greedy.) So then I did some research. When was the last time I threw two 980+ rounds in one day? Well, I was surprised to see I only ever did it once, back in 2006 (1010, 991) – FOUR YEARS AGO!
Well, when was the last time I did 970+ rated rounds in one day? I was equally shocked to see I’d only done that 4 times. King of the Lake ’08 being the most recent (979, 986). Then back to ’06, where I did it twice, and ’05 where I did it once.
I’ve only broken 960+ twice in a day 9 times, and not since ’08.
How in the blue hell is that even possible? I have been rated above 960 since ’08 (and over 970 for half of that.) How can I be rated so high but never throw consecutive good rounds? Easy. Let’s look at my 9 1000 rated rounds and the OTHER round I threw the same day I threw that one.
1025 1010 1010 1006 1004 1004 1000 1000 1000
933 948 991 949 944 953 898 961 961
Well that explains it.
So my goal is 5 rounds above 960, and at least one day where I throw 970+ twice. That way I’m not thinking “I gotta cash!” but I’m just working on a round. I suppose my goal should REALLY be good shot after good shot, but I just thought these numbers were interesting. Last year I got last cash while AVERAGING 978, and this year’s field will be tougher.
Let’s have some fun.
For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
The Dew Run (Run Run)
Date: Spring 1996
Location: Oakland, NJ
Description: When Aaron, Kevin, Will and I got together, one of a few things would happen: 1) We’d film very silly skits. 2) We’d write silly songs. 3) We’d do silly things in public. (In certain circumstances, such as the “Sound of Music Performed on a Foggy Evening In the Grand Union Parking Lot” skit, we incorporated all three.) While we did make quite a few skits this night, it was easily more recognized as the night we went to CVS. Usually, on skit nights, we’d all bring along plenty of odd props. And around midnight we realized that we were out of Mountain Dew, a staple of these nights. So we got dressed up and headed over to the 24-hr CVS to buy more. As we enter, we head to the soda, and over the loudspeaker we hear “Can I get so-and-so up at the main counter.” People were keeping an eye on us. Dressed like that, we certainly meant trouble. As we go to pay, the guy starts ringing us up then says, “I’m sorry, but I gotta ask. What’s with the costumes? Is it Halloween?” I believe it was Aaron who nonchalantly replied, “It’s Friday.” There were many out there who thought we were on drugs at this time. In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss their unfounded concern.
On Thursday we changed Landen’s crib around so he’s no longer trying to clamor over a rickety railing to get out. He’s had some trouble adjusting, and still isn’t too sure what to do in the mornings. But the first night was the most interesting. I was out until after 8, so he was already in bed when I got there. He looked adorable in the bed, so we snapped a picture (with flash – yes – we’re jerks).
It appears as though he has draped his monkey over his mouth to protect from Monkeypox (just a theory). In fact, a few months ago he was totally done with his monkey. Did have any interest in him anymore. Would throw him out of the crib. But now that he doesn’t have a guardrail, he almost always takes the monkey to bed (or, like last night, a little baby doll he has.)
Anyway, back to the story. So I get home around 9 and that’s what I see. Landen all cute and sleeping. Ash and I watch some TV and chat, and around 10:30 we decide to go to bed. (10:30? Really?) So Ash checks in on him and quick motions for me to check on him. This is what we found.
We didn’t hear anything, so either a) he fell but landed on the pillow, b) sleepwalked over there, or c) woke up, got out of bed, laid on the floor, and fell back asleep. We’ve subsequently ruled out A because he HAS fallen out of bed almost every night since then. It’s pretty sad to hear THUMP then a harsh cry. But by the time he’s walked back into the bed, he’s already out. He got heavy sleeping as a talent from his ole’ dad.
Here’s one more pic because all things come in 3s.
He was piling tons of blanks on top of Mom, so I was taking pictures as he re-started. He got two blankets on her then just sort of “hugged” her without arms, and this was the result. I still giggle when I look at it.
For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
Brotherly Love
Date: 1998 Maybe?
Location: Inside?
Description: I wish I could say with conviction that I knew whose wedding this was in particular. And if it’s one of the two I think it was, I wish I could say with conviction that I knew when it happened, even a rough year. But, things as it stands, this will be a free-floating memory in time. Which is probably all for the best since it features my oldest brothers in their youthful element. Truth be told, if a picture of them was to be taken today, it would look largely the same except for the condition and color of their hair. I always felt personality shots were better than “pretty” shots, and this is one of the prime reasons why I enjoy my family as much as I do. In fact, one of the greatest reasons to have those disposable cameras at your reception is because of people like Craig and Doug who will pick them up and take silly pictures with them. I know of a few choice ones taken by good friends of theirs.
For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
Recent History
Date: Yesterday
Location: Reno, NV
Description: If this Picture of the Day Archive were laid onto a football field, this picture would be on the near goal line, as it was taken yesterday. While driving home from improv rehearsal, I saw an amazing sky and, of course, had no camera with me. I called Ashley and told her she had to snap a few photos because my camera phone just wasn’t doing it justice. In fact, here is a comparison of what my phone at the same time was taking.
Anyway, this sort of sky is pretty typical in Reno. I imagine it is fairly universal, but elsewhere in the world there’s too much blocking the view. In Jersey, it was trees and buildings. In England, it was clouds. In Baltimore it was terrible baseball teams. Here in Reno, you see this fairly often. And it’s breathtaking every time.
For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
Is It Over Yet?
Date: Summer 2003 (?)
Location: Jackson, NJ
Description: In high school, my friend Rob had often told me that he wanted to go on a roller coaster, sneak a newspaper under his leg, and casually read it as he passed the cameras. I always thought that was a great idea. However, by the time I got on the Nitro, my favorite roller coaster of all time, I had forgotten to bring the paper, so I tried to come up with something on the fly. We went to Six Flags Great Adventure during the week (I had gotten free tickets to the safari, so my girlfriend at the time and I had paid for entry to the regular park too.) In addition to the “off” time, it was also overcast and beginning to rain. As such, the lines were pretty thin. In fact, this was the third time in a row we went on the ride with little to no waits between them. Unfortunately for me, the rain had picked up to a pretty steady pour by the time I took this picture. Cropped out on both sides are people in obvious pain, trying in vain to keep the rain from pelting their face at 60mph. I toughed it out for the sake of the photo. And yes, my hair is orange here.
For each day in 2010 (give or take) I’ll be showing a picture from somewhere in my life with a little explanation as to what it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES!)
(PICTURE LINKED BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY NASTY LOOKIN’)
http://www.esoderek.com/data/Image/DPOD/06042010.jpg
Gnarly Poison Ivy
Date: September 3, 2004
Location: Oakland, NJ
Description: In honor of the debilitating and rather nasty looking poison oak I currently have courtesy of Delaveaga Disc Golf Course, I figured I’d bring back the most painful encounter I’ve ever had. While I’ve had freaker encounters in my life (when I was little my arm once swelled up to the size of a baseball), I’ve never had such complete coverage in my life. When I woke up to seeing both my legs like that, I seriously debated not driving 5 hours and playing in a two-day A tier tournament in 90 degree weather. But of course I went. The ever tactful Alex, when we went to pick him up, said two things to me: “That sucks” and “Can I take a picture?” And that’s what this is. I also had coverage on both arms, my neck, my torso, and my hands. But the legs were what earned me the unofficial “Trooper” award that year. It was so memorable that 12 months later, in Worlds in Arizona, a guy stopped me and said “Were you the guy with the poison ivy at Paw Paw last year?” If I never play in the woods again (below 4000’ elevation at any rate), it will still be too soon.
