A Rare Birdie

Enjoyed a decent round of golf on Saturday morning. While waiting on my regulars I went ahead and hit two poor tee shots: both low and right. Went back and hit two more. The yellow ball sailed right toward the trees. Fourth try was better. No one was coming, so I headed out alone. Only found two of my balls, both in the fairway. Hit a hybrid: low but long, to the hill just short of the green. My chip skidded right, but rolled up onto the green. Decent lag putt close, then in for a rare "bogey".

2. Three wood off tee sailed far, and only sliced slighty right. With my poor vision its hard for me to tell exactly where my ball goes. Found it on the green (below), so close to the hole that I stepped off the distance: five feet! Took my time and sank the putt for birdie.

3. Decent six iron off tee. Good distance, but rolled right at the end. I was concerned it had rolled off the hill, so for fun I hit a provisional. Hit it good, but it sailed left down into the gulch. Found my first call on the fringe (below). Perhaps my best tee shot ever on this hole. Two putt. First time ever to be even par after three holes.

4. Three wood off tee. Hit it well. Not sure, but it seemed to go left. Found another ball near the trees, then saw my ball up on ahead - on the fringe of the green (below). Three putt for bogey.

5. Stuck with my three wood off the tee. Felt like my first shot went right and not that far, so I hit a second. Found both in the fairway, not too short of the green (below). With the round I was having I decided to putt. Both were short. Chipped a yellow ball I had found, but it rolled off the back of the green. Two more putts. Another "bogey".

6. Hit driver. Didn't slice that much. Decent distance, almost to the big tree in the middle of the fairway. The ball was in the rough so i hit a 5 iron low and straight. The hole is a slight dogleg right, so my straight shot rolled under a tree on the left side of the fairway. Much further down the hole than I usually am. Hit three chip shots: one left, one right, and one onto the green. Three putted. "Double bogey".

7. Hit driver. Both shots went further than usual - almost to the fourth tree up the hill on the right side of the fairway, instead of the second tree I'm usually near. My first 5 iron skidded left so I hit a second: low but better. It topped the hill and rolled, further than most of my second shots on this hole. Flubbed one 7 iron, but my second try meandered to the right fringe (below). The long putt crossed more fringe than green, and slowed to a stop considerably short of the hole. Three more putts on the wet green. Triple bogey.

8. Hit driver again. Felt good, and I found it in the middle of the fairway (below). My first 6 iron skidded right. Hit a second 6 low and left. First shot had made it all the way down the hill but far right. Was surprised that my second ball had rolled across the green to the back fringe. Three putt for "bogey".

9. Decent 3 wood off tee went further than usual (below). Decent chip to right fringe, but for fun I tried two more: one to the far back edge of the green, and one far left that rolled off the edge down the hill. Three putt for "bogey".

Finished up right at 8 am. My rounds are starting to have fewer red stops, a good thing.

JUAN MARICHAL  [SABR Bio] took the loss in Crosley Field’s last MLB game, on 24-Jun-1970. He claimed to have mastered the curve by age ten and the screwball by fifteen. From 1996 to 2000, Marichal served in the cabinet of Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández as his country’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education, and is still one of its most respected citizens. He had more career complete games that wins: 244 complete games and 243 wins. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his major league debut, on 19-Jul-1960. The Phillies’ Clay Dalrymple pinch hit for catcher Cal Neeman in the 8th, and singled for their only hit of the game.

Pitchers who debuted during the expansion era and reached 50 career complete-game shutouts.

Name Shutouts WAR

Blyleven...60........94.5

Carlton.....55........90.2

Marichal...52........62.9

Palmer.....53........68.5

Perry........53........90.0

Ryan........61........81.3

Seaver.....61......109.9

Sutton......58........66.7

 

Sermon Notes

Sermon notes: Clay Smith on Ephesians 6 10-17

Clay had been thinking about shoes / sneakerheads buying and selling shoes. They are beautiful things. Ages 25-35 are the main traders sellers

Roman soldiers had lightweight mass-produced shoes with hobnails on bottom. Lasted 4 months. Sounded mighty when they marched all together

We are all in a battle not against flesh and blood but against Satan. Some make too little of this, some too much - just then Clay’s microphone went out. Hmm.

Most make too little of this, try to explain by science. Jesus never took Satan lightly. Living the Christian life is hard. Working with cultural expectations and changing norms, false teachings. Not our role to fight, but to stand firm, let God defeat Satan with His power. We are not born wearing the armor of God.

Gospel shoes give us…

1. Serenity comes from God, our source of peace
Ephesians 2:1-5 peace with God. By nature we are Children of wrath, deserving of punishment. But God made us alive, saved through grace. Romans 5 the prodigal son

2. We are given the peace of God. He’s not worried or anxious John 14 don’t let your hearts be troubled or fearful. A lasting peace. More than the absence of conflict, but in the midst of conflict. When storms come the fish dive deep. Be anxious for nothing but with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

3. We are given stability. Shod means to wrap your feet. Gives security to not slip, like cleats. Sure footing to stand tall in a world that wants us to fall.

Book to read: Another Gospel: have we moved past traditional methods? Are we building or tearing down? We must be discerning. We live in an age of tearing down. Okay to have doubts. This is normal. Bible says to have mercy on those who doubt. Even so, we can have stability in the Gospel. The devil loves to raise doubt. John 5: Jesus said the one who believes my word has eternal life. What saves us is Jesus, who is the object of our faith.

Sharp spikes: use to kick Satan in the mouth.

4. These shoes give us mobility. And durability, to last until God finishes his good work in you. The gospel gives us the confidence to share our hope. “How beautiful are the feet of those who share the gospel, always being ready to make a defense for the hope that is in you” - I Peter.  

5. The gospel gives us hope. The world is looking for hope. Are you wearing your gospel shoes?

At funerals: the riderless horse with empty boots facing backwards - to look back at their army. One day we won’t need these shoes any more. 

Click here to watch this sermon.

Brandel Chamblee from the Golf Network says “in competing in a Saudi backed league, players are allowing their talents to be exploited to launder SA/MBS atrocities, thereby being complicit in atrocities. Exploited golfers say sports and politics don’t mix, but aren’t they curious why the Saudi government wants them to mix.”

DENISON: a friend plays a game with his children when they watch TV called "spot the lie": they compete to be the first to recognize when something is said or done that is unbiblical. He is teaching them to be not paranoid but discerning.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/man-marries-a-fictional-character-learning-to-spot-the-lie/?utm_source=active-campaign&utm_medium=email

Why Big Bang Theory was so popular?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-real-reason-the-big-bang-theory-was-so-successful-according-to-jim-parsons/ar-AAWFb78?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=051be6076714415f91cb9367494f5871

NORM CASH  [SABR Bio] debuted with White Sox, then led the American League in intentional walks the season that Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. Cash had 19 IBB in 1961 to lead the AL. (Three NL players had more). Maris had exactly zero IBBs that season. Several years later he fouled out three times by popping up to the catcher, Cleveland’s Joe Azcue on 24-May-1966(2). Cash was the last out of Nolan Ryan’s second no-hitter on 15-Jul-1973.

Picked up this pair of Nike Air Flight Condor hightops. Some of my favorite colors: navy, grey, and white. Only slightly scuffed.

The Game-Winner

Instead of cable, we stream Hulu/Netflix/Amazon/YouTube/etc. using our wi-fi. Sometimes a show will stop while the internet buffers. Probably need a wi-fi booster, a subject I have zero interest in becoming expert about (so don’t bring it up).

Got home from the Braves game Tuesday night and flipped on Memphis/Minnesota. The Grizzlies were down eleven. Immediately they closed the gap and took the lead. Ceil was shouting at the TV, rooting for Memphis. The Wolves kept hitting threes, and retook the lead. As the seconds ticked down Ja drove the lane, extending his arm to take the crucial shot.

Just then our TV froze. For a good 30 seconds Ja’s arm remained extended. Either he made the game-winning basket, or they were headed to overtime. What happened I will never know.

Here’s the video clip of Kitti Murray on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtu.be/9zrM1JHOhjc__;!!AE29DT8V!RqAPCLrSvjzKCSc1-ishecJW0t8rshtlZRG144q9DESe2vTk5DWpxF8DhhpQAoxPiVhj2p4we6CWelkzil4$

Gym Fashions: while lifting weights recently I spent time pondering on what us East Cobbers wear to the gym. Most stick to plain, dark colors. Mostly black. Perhaps a Nike or Under Armour logo. A few college t-shirts, some from nearby Pope High School. Teenage boys in black Nikes, the girls in white adidas. Too many grownups wearing outlet store bought Asics running shoes. As I’ve said, I try to wear a different pair of sneakers every time. Usually a Grizzlies or Hawks or Oglethorpe or Braves t-shirt. If I wear all black or all navy, I might wear an interesting pair of Stance socks.

Besides me there is one other guy (much younger, but not a kid) who puts on even more of a show. I’ve seen him wearing two different NBA jerseys (Bulls and Hawks). A bright pair of Nikes. Last time in knee high compression socks. Really puts on a show. Makes me want to dial back my outfits.

Seinfeld: I used to have a coworker who would always greet me like Jerry greeted Newman. He was shorter and stockier, so I considered him to be the Newman of us two. Just realized he might’ve considered me to be the Newman. I gotta track him down and sock him in the face.

Wednesday: worked past 6 pm. Got stuff done but not the project I need to. Today I got a bunch of month end stuff as well as my usual stuff so it was be a long day.

C baked a chicken for supper. Also potato wedges and green beans. Watched a new show: Papi’s Places, where David Ortiz does what Peyton Manning does for pro football (and Eli for college football). It was better than I expected.

Ran my four miles this morning. My fastest four miles yet. It’s not that I’m going for speed. I’m just trying to run more and walk less. The walk/run intervals are supposed to be more healthy than just plodding along at a slower pace. At some point I need to get out and run hills.

I read Lang’s new article, of course on the day I ate a big lunch. I need to do better on my diet. Right now I’m stuck at about 17 pounds lost. Today I skipped on tiramisu.

ARTICLE: I would not normally share an article on wokeness, but this one traces it back to the root causes.

https://amgreatness.com/2022/04/16/the-pathological-nature-of-wokeness/?fbclid=IwAR299OgvMCAof9E2OaEMY9KpieDQPsAg4Z5vZwnPy39WFA6eMV43iRN_TPo

DON SUTTON  [SABR Bio] his league-leading 2.20 ERA one season didn’t even merit a single vote for the Cy Young Award or for MVP. Hiis win/loss record of 13-5 wasn’t as impressive in 1980 as Felix Hernandez’ 13-12 was 30 years later. Sutton’s 0.989 WHIP led both leagues that year. In more than 1,500 plate appearances in the majors, he never hit a home run and only had one triple. He had 1,559 plate appearances and 1,354 at bats. Hit his triple 11-Sep-1970 in San Francisco off Juan Marichal.

BREAKING: the Braves called up Ronald Acuna today, and placed him in tonight's starting lineup. Nice to see the return of his fabulous striped socks.

Braves Cubs

Tuesday: busy at work. Arrived a few minutes late, so I left early to head to the ballpark. Walked up to the Left Field Gate shortly after 4:30. There weren’t a ton of people there, but I strolled on to the Third Base Gate. Only a few more people there. As I waited for gates to open the scuttlebutt was that there was already a long line at the Chop House Gate.

I wore my red pinstriped CHANNEL 17 Andy Messersmith jersey and matching cap. Went inside and visited the season ticketholder office, cashing in my voucher for two bobbleheads: Austin Riley and Hank Aaron, to go with the Maddux bobble given at the gate. Met up with a fellow and traded a Riley bobble for last Friday’s Jackie Robinson figurine. Then I crashed in the sunny outfield bleachers to watch the end of batting practice. 

Grabbed a free designated driver Coke Zero, then snuck downstairs and grabbed two free boxes of popcorn. Sold Maddux for forty bucks. Quite the haul for the $14 ticket.

Went upstairs to my seat in sunny section 343. The morning rain had left the day chilly, and I was in short sleeves – so the sun felt good. Stayed there for the first couple of innings, then went downstairs to sit with Chris and his son. 

Stayed for the RaceTrac home run inning, and rookie callup Travis Demeritte lined a pitch over the right field wall – ka-ching! Turned that into two soft drinks, two chicken sandwiches, slice of pizza, and an apple fritter. More food than I usually eat in a week.

The kid also made a sweet catch in foul territory.

BOOG POWELL  [SABR Bio] a one-time Dodger pinch-hitter, who holds the single-season record for the most home runs by an AL Baltimore Orioles left fielder. Powell hit 39 HR in 1964, his last season as a full-time outfielder. He moved to first base and Curt Blefary took over in left. In Powell’s final season he played fifty games for LA, but only played four in the field. He was the AL MVP in 1970. Boog is one of the few players who have finished 3rd, 2nd, and 1st in league MVP voting. He finished 3rd in 1966 behind two teammates; finished 2nd in 1969 behind the Twins’ Harmon Killebrew, and finally won in 1970. He is often remembered for how abundantly he filled out an all-red Cleveland Indians uniform: take a look.

DENISON: Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey called Musk's purchase the "right path", tweeting: "Elon's goal of creating a platform that is 'maximally trusted and broadly inclusive' is the right one." Musk said, "Free speech is the bedrock of a democracy. Twitter is the town square where matters vital to the future are debated." Dan McLaughlin notes that now "Elon Musk is a hero to conservatives" but warns "he was once a hero to liberals, he's not a consistent conservative, and the day will come when we are reminded that he is not."

John Adams wrote "Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious People.” a Net." George Washington noted "Of all the habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. Reason and experience forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." In a brilliant analysis of our culture, David French concludes: "When our crisis is one of hatred, anxiety, and despair, don't look to politics to heal our hearts. Our social fabric is fraying. Crumbling. Our government is imperfect, but if this republic fractures, its people will be to blame."

Theologian N. T. Wright: "You become like what you worship."

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/is-elon-musks-purchase-of-twitter-good-news-for-free-speech/?utm_source=active-campaign&utm_medium=email

Paying Attention

Sometimes I see what others are reading and if the book looks good, I will give it a try. Not sure where I found “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again” by Johann Hari, a European journalist who unplugged for three months. My book of the year. I wasn’t really looking for a way to unglue from my phone and social media, but Hari gives reasons why, and shows how Big Tech works to suck in unsuspecting users, like BF Skinner trained pigeons to play ping pong.

The introduction hooked me, and every new chapter is better than the last. I’ll probably read it a second time. The Googles / Twitters / Facebooks / Instagrams want to make money, so they want your eyes focused on your screen for as long as possible. Programs are developed profile as much information about you as possible, then displays what will keep you scrolling. Negative, inflamatory posts are the most successful. YouTube will show you one video, then suggest increasingly negative videos about the same subject. 

The programmer who invented the "infinite scroll" saw what his creation was doing to his coworkers, and wished he'd never unleashed the beast. Before infinite scroll, a user would have to make a conscious decision to click to advance to the next screen. ust s 

Already I am noticing every notification more – also known as interruptions / distractions. Unlike computers, the human brain can only truly focus on one thing at a time. I will work to disable as many notifications as possible – the exact opposite of what big tech wants. For every minute you are distracted, it takes another minute to reacclimate yourself to what you were doing. Instead of learning about a developing news story in bits and pieces on social media, it’s actually less time-consuming to wait and read an already-digested, comprehensive story the next day, like in an old-fashioned newspaper.

Busy Monday. Got a decent amount done. Try to be nice and help people out, and they try to take advantage of you to get you to do their work. People in other departments. Some are working from home, asking me to do extra work since I burned the gas to get to the office. So frustrating when I’ve already got my own stuff I can’t get done.

Needed to leave at five, but didn’t get out until almost 5:30. Stopped by Taco Bell. Should’ve picked McDonalds. Was late to my 6:30 meeting. C and M cooked spaghetti and meatballs, with tossed salad.

Didn’t sleep well, mostly because of Winnie. Still knocked out four miles this morning. Then in to the office again. Will attend a vendor event in Conyers on Friday.

Why you should learn to laugh at yourself.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fastcompany.com/90741395/how-and-why-you-should-learn-to-laugh-at-yourself__;!!AE29DT8V!WgsuvZTxF6r1-vy4bTMWbNntWupMe3KW--LDQUzEDp32oZZEir7hSpeb4RRQ7yFDCOmup6YuwhQTKAM0n1w$

The greatest collection of unique face masks on the world wide web.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2016/06/facemask-oddities.html__;!!AE29DT8V!W9HHZ1u7sGGcBVr_VJ5CHXPma5OSxaTDyDPXfaQ22PqkrudL3AgcAuFcOCGv2Efn1SnWi45xXvH_nZbicb0$

JUAN MARICHAL  [SABR Bio] took the loss in Crosley Field’s last MLB game, on 24-Jun-1970. He claimed to have mastered the curve by age ten and the screwball by fifteen. From 1996 to 2000, Marichal served in the cabinet of Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández as his country’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education, and is still one of its most respected citizens. He had more career complete games that wins: 244 complete games and 243 wins. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his major league debut, on 19-Jul-1960. The Phillies’ Clay Dalrymple pinch hit for catcher Cal Neeman in the 8th, and singled for their only hit of the game.

Prime Time

 

Tomorrow (Tuesday) night Kitti Murray will be on the Kelly Clarkson Show, sharing about their ministry in Clarkston, and Refuge Coffee.

Not sure what the deal is about those protesters at the Bucks games. Hope it doesn’t spread to other arenas. Will the Hawks be able to advance? Isn’t looking good. Several Braves players attended yesterday’s game, including Max Fried, Ozzie Albies, and Ian Anderson. Glad to see Fried out and about in Atlanta. I’m hoping he doesn’t pull a Freeman when he becomes a free agent and signs with a west coast team.

The musical on Saturday. Had the best time. I can’t wait for Shrek! After I left the theater I battled Roswell traffic up to RaceTrac. Cashed in points for a free made from scratch pizza. Part of the pizza research project I’m working on. While I was waiting I gassed up my car.

Had a jolly time Saturday night at the Jay Leno performance. He’s 71 and bantered over 1-1/2 hours without a break. While I was gone Ceil ordered takeout from Taqueria.

Sunday School and worship. Later I went to get an oil change, but that service was closed on Sundays. Ran a few errands while I was out. Did some laundry and other housework. C went to the grocery. M made two cheesecakes: one for a client and another for us.

Anna and Caleb stopped by to visit and pick up some items. They’d been hitting golf balls in Sandy Springs.

Lifted weights this morning. Boss took his wife to an appointment, so I’m the only team member in the office again today. I’ll work from home some other day. Small group tonight.

RECOMMENDED: watched an interesting, short video in Sunday School yesterday, on how the God’s Word is written in a way to address the key motivators in different parts of the world: guilt vs innocence (USA), honor vs shame (Middle East), and fear vs power (Latin countries). Interesting how Jesus was raised up from the fault line that runs up through Africa that divides Israel from Palestine, literally dividing the planet. Three of the four group we had divided up into in Sunday School (two men, two women) had people born in other countries, who were able to tell stories verifying the video.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtu.be/n2XNoAFtqOw__;!!AE29DT8V!Xq-9xCYh1Yk7iXlqy1J3R5oIDmHVGfBI69tN-Utf7Mcfe8I0C9fr9lUr4HvAPuL713brRqZIHH-Gwta93Wg$

That face you make right when you wake up from your nap.

Young Sheldon Season 5 Finale Features Major Change for George & Mary.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://screenrant.com/young-sheldon-season-5-finale-synopsis-george-mary/__;!!AE29DT8V!Vzv5Ut4MPm70Chbvnb2rQ-I0L1pXnrt6t1yu3oeRYq5k5ny0wO1_AlBaLqVCAKrlzZI6LmPQyioXfu3oojc$

Jay Leno bought a huge mansion on the Rhode Island coast, where his large extended family gathers for holidays and vacations. The upkeep is $50,000 per month, and the windows must be replaced every few years due to the constant blast of salt air. For this same reason Leno doesn’t keep any cars at this house.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellehofmann/2021/04/22/comic-jay-leno-opens-up-about-buying-a-newport-mansion-and-returning-to-primetime-as-the-host-of-you-bet-your-life/__;!!AE29DT8V!QgHzULtlkkJ8BL69SsxkcY5YSrqwtYFR5cMs7EUiMofN7OmXuVn9fBo60DGssnqRgp7jDT91W1QIg3JK7G8$ 

JIM PALMER  [SABR Bio] was the only American League player to collect two RBI in the World Series without getting a hit. In G #2 of the 1971 WS, Palmer, in consecutive innings, induced walks of Bruce Kison and Bob Veale, and scored each time thanks to the efforts of subsequent Oriole batters. Hint: #1 He is the last pitcher to start 500 games playing his entire career for one team. Started 521 games for Baltimore from 1965-1984. Every time he led the league in ERA, he won the Cy Young Award, in 1973 (2.40) and 1975 (2.09). Won CYA in 1973, 1975 & 1976. 

McDonalds calls them hash browns – but you’re right, they’re more like the tater cakes like Arbys used to have. At McDonalds I prefer bacon egg and cheese biscuits. This week the Chickfila app gives away a spicy chicken biscuit. Got mine at 7:30 this morning. No people in the drive thru line. Kinda odd. Then at work Marty had brought in a coconut creme pie, so of course I had to have a piece.

Drama Today, Comedy Tonight

 

Had a busy Saturday, starting before sunrise. My buds were busy, so I had a leisurely nine holes to myself. Started my watch on the second tee.

After her walk with Winnie,

Ceil fixed my a ham sandwich for a late breakfast / early lunch.

Went to the nearby Roswell Cultural Center to see Megan in the musical "Into The Woods". She and sister Liza are already taller than their mother.

While Ceil and Mary-Clayton helped arrange flowers for a wedding (and Will and Matthew worked), Aunt Anna babysat Shivonne.

Stopped by RaceTrac for (1) gas, (2) a soft drink, and (3) supper: a made fresh sausage & pepperoni pizza - free with points I had accumulated on the app.

No indication the box was made from recycled materials. Will have to check the RaceTrac website to see how woke they are. Did see an email warning to be wary of companies who boast of their sustainability efforts. 

Spent the evening at Cobb Energy Center to see Jay Leno. Back in January 1985 I saw him perform at The Punch Line in Sandy Springs with Don Head, David Hurt, and Marty Milliner. Now some 37 years later Jay is still the hardest working man in show bidness. 

No opening act or intermission. The 71 year old Leno powered through over an hour and a half of nonstop hilarious material, probably 20% recent / new. Near the end he took questions from the audience, before ending with several good old fashioned jokes. He told a couple of my all-time favorites: introducing Sting to his parents, and Becky the goat tied to an anvil.   

Ronald Acuna back in a Stripers uniform (with his Braves helmet).

Just across 285 from the Cobb Energy Center, the Braves were battling the Marlins. Friday night returning World Series hero Jorge Soler received a rousing ovation for the sellout crowd, which included Caleb and Braves catcher Travis d-Arnauld. Observation: the backstop is becoming the heart and soul of the team.

You just never know what simple post will go "viral". My reply to what quickly cancelled TV show I missed has garnered over five thousand impressions, a decent number for me.

BERT BLYLEVEN  [SABR Bio] has the most career strikeuts of anyone who didn't reach the 4,000 strikeout total. At 3,701 K's, Blyleven trails only Nolan Ryan (5,714), Randy Johnson (4,875), Roger Clemens (4,672) and Steve Carlton (4,136). Only Blyleven, Mike Morgan & Herb Pennock. Won games before turning 20 and after turning 40. Robin Roberts gave up 46 HR in 1956. Blyleven tied him in 1987. They were joined in 2011 when Bronson Arroyo also surrendered 46. In 1986, Blyleven gave up 50 HR and is the current record holder.

Stetson flew with the Blue Angels.

Will's high school classmate Hailey Hughes received her Georgia Bulldogs national championship ring, in honor of her contribution to the program. She's worked in nutrition, and currently with walk-on players. How cool is that?