I just returned from a four day trip to FL to visit some family…and to play some golf - both which were enjoyable. I am not much of a warm weather person, but I did enjoy the break from the snow here in Chicago (the most we have seen here in ten years). I am hoping to now get caught up with work. I will note that having my iPhone with me on the trip was extremely key. Not only was I able to keep on top of most of my email, but it entertained Evan on the plane with the video iPod and photo browser capabilities without needing to open a laptop. On the golf front - I played extremely consistent and had a lot of great shots for not being out on the course since November. I feel like this is going to be the best golf year I have had in a long time if I can master my chipping! Watch out!

It is freezing outside so I thought I would post about golf to warm up a bit. Over the last three or four years, I have replaced every single club in my golf bag. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my clubs (PING G2 irons 2-S, Titleist 975J driver, PING G5 putter), but I have not had much luck with finding a good 3 wood. Last year I bought a 2 iron to try and replace my longer fairway shot needs, but even though I can hit it really well and it had become my favorite club in my bag, I decided I really needed to get a new 3 wood this year. I met Doug at Golf Galaxy over the weekend and hit only one 3 wood before I knew I had chosen wisely: the new PING G10. My first shot - after not even touching a club for over four months - went over 200 yards and I consistently hit it over the next 20 or so shots. All I can say - is look out, my bag is now finally complete. PS - thanks to Jon for the PING … [more]

Well - I think it is finally time to take my golf clubs out of my trunk. I spent the morning yesterday getting the driveway clear with the snowblower (it was like Christmas to me). I love the snow, using the snow blower, and being out in the cold (think: free air conditioning). Unfortunately, this means I will have to give up golf for a few months. Oh well, but hopefully we will get some more snow so I can enjoy another hour or so using the snowblower.

I have had a busy summer so far but had made time for golf almost weekly. I purchased a new putter a few weeks ago and now it is time to fill out the bag - with a 2 iron (my Grandpa Z would be proud) and a gap wedge - both Ping G2 to match the rest of my irons. I am hoping to order them tomorrow to have them for next weekend’s golf trip. Not too many people like or even carry a 2 iron, but my 3 iron - an enemy last year - has been my favorite club to hit by far this year. I will then be carrying a driver, 3 wood (both Titleist) then a 2-SW and a Ping G5i putter. This will be the first time I will have a “full” bag of clubs. Now it is time to start consistently beating my competition - Doug when I am not losing to myself.

Amy, Evan, and I just got back from a vacation to the east coast to visit some friends and family. We got to see our friend Ken’s family first and then headed off to to my house our annual (39th) Evans’ family reunion. My grandmother and I took the euchre tournament this year (I have not had it since 2000) and we are all exhausted from all the traveling. I look forward to not driving for awhile…as well as using my high speed connection v. my parent’s dial-up. I only opened my laptop to watch some Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Back to normal posting this week!

I have recently started using Tor for improved security and privacy when working out of certain locations. Not that I have much to hide but I do not want someone watching all my outgoing network traffic. Tor is also helpful if you are using a computer somewhere where they block ports (thus blocking services such as IM). I also started using Privoxy too with Tor to make my network connections even more private. If you are all curious about security and privacy, check out Tor and Privoxy.

Let's hope for nice weather for the next few days. Amy is off to the Bears game tonight with some friends, tomorrow I will be at the PGA Championship, and Sunday I am going to golf at Cary Country Club.
[tags]Chicago Bears, PGA Championship, golf[/tags]

A big thanks to Doug and his girlfriend for inviting me and Amy to Lake Carroll this past weekend. Even though it was extremely hot, we had a blast. I got up at 5am on Saturday to get ready for my 6am tee time...and by 7am the sweat was dripping down my face. (When is someone going to create the air conditioned suit?) I could not drive, use my long irons, chip, or putt, but still...it was enjoyable. After golf we got ready to spend a nice relaxing few hours on the lake in which Doug, Kelly, and I participated in a water noodle HORSE competition. I had to back out after a short while because I pulled my calf muscle (ouch) and when you are in the water, and needing to constantly kick...once pulled, you just pull it and re-pull it again until you get out. Finally after I iced it down for a night, I am able to walk normally. Other than that, and some crazy water in my ear from a poor initial jump in the water, I really enjoyed myself and my time there. If ... [more]

Every day for the last week I have been going outside after work with Triscuit to practice my short game. Triscuit runs laps, and I get my sand wedge and some wiffle golf balls out and aim for a specific target (the sandbox). I am hoping to focus on my short game and course management this year with golf. I believe that by working on both of these important parts of the game that I will begin seeing my scores drop. As for course management, I have to use the George Costanza way of thinking...doing the exact oposite of what my instinct says to do. (Yes, I am one of those golfers who thinks it is a better idea to go right through trees than to play a safe shot....and yes, I have hit a ball into a nearby tree that then came back at me and hit me in the stomach...senior year high school, hole #1 in the pines). Watch out Doug!

There are some days when you think you have seen it all...and today was one of them. By working in a big city I am exposed to a lot of weird stuff all the time. This morning, I saw something I never expected...a homeless man with all his belongings on a golf push cart. The wheels first caught my attention but it was almost like the standard desert/mirage thought. I know I am really itching to golf, but so much that my mind is playing tricks on me? For a few moments, I could not quite grasp the concept of seeing: a) a golf push cart in the city, b) a homeless person using one to push all their belongings on it. Go homeless guy for being creative and extra bonus points for making me smile!

Well, I enjoyed having the latest and greatest Ping irons for two years, but my (G2s) have been passed by with the introduction of the G5s. This is just another reminder to me that I am not playing/living enough golf. Not only did I play under 20 rounds last spring/summer/fall, but I only found out about the new G5 irons by flipping through the channels and I saw one of the pros on tour with a G5 hat. Very sad. This year..with Doug and his brand new irons and putter we are going to play more golf than we ever have. (Ok with you Doug?) Life is too short to be in front of a computer screen for 14 hours a day on a nice beautiful summer day! (Now someone remember to tell me that this summer.)
[tags]Ping, Ping G2 irons, Ping G5 irons[/tags]

Well...it is that time of year when most people's golf season is winding down. (This was a busy summer for me and my golf game never really wound up). A friend of mine emailed me tonight and asked what golf bag I would recommend. The lucky bastard got a thank you gift from his boss, and got to choose any set of new golf clubs he wanted. He ended up choosing the CG1s. So thanks to my friend Doug I forwarded my other friend a link to what I think is the ultimate golf bag on the market now: the Ogio Shling bag. Even if you are not a golfer, check out the demo...it is amazing technology. So, if you are in the market for an amazing bag...look no further.

I went to Golfsmith right after work (I had already been to the much preferable Golf Galaxy a few days ago) and decided to try three 3 woods in the practice area so I could make my decision and then spend the rest of the week at the driving range (after work). I, of course, first picked up the Ping G2 3 wood for $269.99. Then I found a used Cleveland Launcher for $124.95, and a Titleist 975F for $34.95. Price differences aside, I wanted the Ping G2 to be the club I was going to buy before I actually hit any of them. It has a great look and I absolutely love my G2 irons. I first hit a few shots, on and off a tee, with the Titleist 975F, figuring I could eliminate it from the running right away. I was shocked when the club felt really good and was consistently going straight and long. Figuring it was only luck, I picked up the Ping G2 which I did not hit as well. I hit probably 20 balls with the G2 and I had ... [more]

Well, this weekend was full of golf...54 holes. On hole 46, I threw my first club ever (3 wood)...and I made sure it was a good throw...into the lake. I had used this 3 wood since the early 90s and my father had used it before then...so it was not like it was anything great. I had been looking to replace it for the last two to three years, and just had to get rid of it...right then. With golf you need to focus on your most important shot, the current one, so I finished the hole, and went on to the next one and was able to get close to a hole in one (see picture below). I am not real proud of my tossing of the club, but I am glad I am finally forced to get a new club. Doug thought the old 3 wood was cramping my style anyways ;). I am now looking at putting either a Cleveland Launcher, a Ping G2, or a Titleist 904f in my bag.

Well, I had tickets to the Western Open today. I have to say, it was pretty darn cool to see some of my favorite players in action. To see them hit great shots and then to turn around and have difficuly in the sand...well it was priceless. It made me feel much better about my game. I could not get over was how flowing and calm their swings were, and how shots on the green were hit so delicately. The pros are much more graceful than I am (I know it is hard to believe). On another note, I have to say I was sick of seeing and hearing Cialis after a few minutes of being there. I was not sure if I was lost in a Cialis marketting warehouse or I was watching a golf event. I have never seen so much in your face sponsorship in my life. Otherwise, it was a great experience. I followed John Daly on the back side of the course and enjoyed watching him "grip it and rip it."