This is how it should work

If I had it my way this is how it would work:

When you worked out, you would work your body to a certain level of fitness and you could then remain at that level for 1/2 the amount of time it took you to get there. This would give you time to enjoy your fitness level and your new body. You wouldn't have to continue the drudgery of going to the gym day in and day out.

Now, I get the whole 'not eating junk thing'. I am not much of a junk eater. Ice cream is typically where I cave and can consume quantities of ice cream that would make Ben and Jerry's eyes pop out of their chubby heads. However, there are many times where I pass up sweets or something fattening for the sake of my health and, let's be honest, the fear of the tube that engulfs my mid-section. I think NOT eating these things is as valuable as spending time in the gym, but you get nothing for it. It isn't like your body recognizes the fact that you declined the opportunity to ingest something in the 1100 calorie range and rewards you for it. Nope. Just nothing.



Well, if I had it my way, NOT eating something fattening would provide you the benefit equivalent of 30 minutes of cardio in the gym. It takes just as much discipline and will power to NOT eat that certain something as it does to go to the gym doesn't it?

Tonight was a good example. I was thinking about the plate of cookies that they have at the front desk of the hotel, but instead I opted for a bin full of green grapes. I think that is worth something other than the nutritional value of the grapes, don't you?

It's all different here this year

I don't know how many of you have been to Florida, but there is a sort of tropical feeling when you get to florida. The grass is a brand of 'bermuda' where the blades are really wide and thick (kind of looks like quack grass), the humidity is heavy, and there are usually blue skies littered with big grey clouds waiting to unleash their power at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Seriously, you could set your clock by it.

This year, it looks different. There is more blue than not in the skies, the humidity is down, the grass is more dry, the temperature isn't as hot and it hasn't rained once since I arrived on Thursday. It's weird.

My first trip to Florida was for q-school 10 years ago...holy crap, 10 years ago? Jeez...Anyway, I basically hated it in Florida. I had never experienced humidity like that before and I knew immediately that I didn't want to spend more time there than I had to. Since then, I have softened my stance on Florida and don't quite hate it as much, I actually don't mind it at all. Afterall, how could you hate a state with no income tax? When I actually have an income, I will certainly appreciate that.

My first year of q-school I remember I rented a condo with a girl named Heidi Vorhees from California. I remember seeing her knuckles turn white on the steering wheel as soon as we turned into the golf course and saw the big: "Welcome to LPGA Q-School" sign. We flew in on the red-eye and I was exhausted, all I could think about was hitting the sack for a couple of hours, but I remember Heidi getting in her golf gear and heading straight to the course for some practice. She, in my opinion, was a wreck. She was totally wired and right on the edge emotionally. Meanwhile, this was my first attempt at q-school and it was all 'bright lights, big city' for me. I was taking it all in stride just trying to sort out the whole process. Either of us made it. I didn't have the game for it but part of me knew it. Heidi didn't have the patience or the emotional composure for and part of her knew it.

I don't know what happened to Heidi, last I heard she was working for some old rich guy. Kind of the same job Elaine had working for Mr. Pitt. I don't know if she had to buy socks for him or not, but more than likely.

Here I am, 10 years later. So much the same but so much so different.

Nothing worse than crappy internet.

I traveled to Venice Florida today to get ready to compete in the 2nd stage of Qualifying school (Sept. 30th-October 3rd). The travel day went quite quickly and smoothly considering it is a cross country flight. 2.5 hours to Dallas, get to the gate and then another 2 hour flight to Tampa.

I checked into my hotel at the Best Western to a nice big room with a tv with regular cable (which is nice compared to the hotel programming that has movie options and very few of the staple channels ie: the golf channel and even some networks). I have stayed in this hotel for the past couple of years and I recall having trouble with the internet service in the past so I asked about the internet status in the rooms upon check-in: 'oh yeah, the internet in the rooms is fine'. Right then, good.

I dumped my bags off and went and got something to eat and some groceries. Finally, a few hours later, when I put my computer on I discovered the internet was not fine. It's not even close to fine. It shows a very weak signal and then it either stalls out or can't process the page (or whatever the proper terminology is). Getting to this page to write this blog post took about 15 minutes of setting and resetting the connection. I hate to see how long it is going to take me to add a picture and publish this sucker. Forget about adding a photo--I will be here all night trying.

Don't these people know I have a lot of purusing to do? What is going to happen when I am trying to listen to the bluejackets game on the internet tomorrow night?

Good thing there is a common computer in the lobby...I hope the front desk people like hockey.

Booted

As you all know I got the new NHL '09 game last week and I have been really enjoying it. You create a player, make him look exactly how you want him to look and chose his equipment right now to his skate blades! It is pretty cool (check out the photo--note the name on the jersey :)).

Anyway, I have been playing online quite a bit and am an okay RW. In fact, my overall rating is a "B". My strength is my positional play and my stats, I am nearly a point a game player which is pretty good. It would seem that I was good enough to attract a few 'club invites' from some fellow players. I was surprised to see 3 invites from random clubs in my box so I decided to accept one and see what it was all about. You can only belong to one club team at a time so I chose the NJ Tornado as my club.

I go into my first game with my new teammates and they both chose the wing, so I chose the 'center' position, not my natural position. I am not great at faceoffs, and it showed early in the game, but I got better as we went on and won my fair share. We ended up winning the game 3-0, I think I got 1 assist but no goals. We played well and was thinking how much I was going to enjoy this club team because they knew hockey and played their positions well. I was actually kind of excited to be part of a team and have regulars to play with.

As the game finishes up it goes through the 3 stars of the game and then it gives you your grades for the night. My grades were right in line with my standard grades: A for positioning, C for team play and and A for stats. We exit the game and I go to enter the dressing room for another game and BAM! a message comes up:

"You are not a member of a club"

I got kicked out. They kicked me off their club team.

That hurt my feelings.

Yank-in' my chain!

For the first time since 1999, the Americans finally won the Ryder Cup. How can you call this a rivalry when one side keeps winning?

First off, I give a lot of credit to Paul Azinger for throwing out the old template and injecting some enthusiasm into the Ryder Cup. Although I don't necessarily enjoy hearing cheers when a player misses a shot or a putt, I believe that the overall enthusiasm by the players is what helped this American team win.

In the past, the Americans seemed to carry this 'too cool for school' energy about them while the Euros were hamming it up and having a great time every step of the way. When two teams are very close in terms of ability and skill, often it is the intangibles that propel one side to the winner's circle. The Euros have had it for a long time, and the American's seemed to have caught on.

As a Canadian I am impartial to who wins, but I will admit I find myself cheering for the Euros. This year, however, I was cheering hard for Ben Curtis to do well. My friend and golf coach Steve Johnson began working with Ben this off season, and I want them both to feel good about the work they have done. I didn't see all the matches, and I think Ben started off a bit slowly, but really played well on Sunday during the singles. Congrats Ben and congrats Steve.

One of the things I find HILARIOUS about watching the NBC broadcast of the Ryder Cup is how absolutely bent out of shape Johnny Miller gets when the American's are down in matches or flat out losing. The guy is such a....patriot (okay, I wanted to use another word or two but I will be nice) he comes unglued with every missed shot and heaven forbid if one of the Americans gets a bad bounce. If they are winning, he gets flat cocky. He used to really irritate me, but now I just laugh at him.

I think after this victory by the Americans, we are going to see one charged up Ryder Cup in 2010. The Euro's and their fans will think about Anthony Kim encouraging the crowd to cheer after Sergio hit his ball in the water (twice) and will think about nothing more than upstaging them. There will finally be some rivalry back in the Ryder Cup.

TRAINING CAMP!!!

You tell 'em Hitch

Go JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo courtesy of 'BZArcher'

Phone calls from Karpal

This for a mature viewing audience only (Jerky Boys Pranks):



And this:

Q-School: Sectional Qualifying Stage: Mission Hills, CA

74-76-75-72

Missed by 4

Could I have cleaned up one shot per day? Absolutely.

I will have to pack up and head to Venice Florida next week for my 2nd crack at getting to finals. I didn't get the job done here at Mission Hills, but I did improve over my finishes here over the past several years. Am I disappointed? Not really. I mean, it would have been nice to get this out of the way and be able to focus on getting ready for finals (okay, well who am I trying to kid--the start of NHL training camp haha ;)), but if I have to go get the job done in Venice, that is what I will do.

I could go through a blow by blow of what happened over the last 4 days, but we all know just how boring that would be so I will spare everyone the mundane details and just say that I needed to play 'cleaner'. Over the first 3 days I will say that I could easily been 8-10 shots lower just by chipping more proficiently and cleaning up the few 4-5 footers that I missed. I got better in terms of ball-striking every day, and today was the cleanest that I played, but I still left 2-3 shots out there.

The best thing about this, however, is upon reflecting on how and why I didn't chip it as well as I would have liked to, I know what I need to do differently.

So, that closes this chapter of Q-school and after taking a day or two off hit the practice tee and then I will head down to Venice, Florida next week. I am actually quite excited to go because I feel really good about my game and my ability to nail it in Florida. Also, the top 30 players (and ties) from this week will not be in Venice, therefore weakening the field to a degree. Strike when the prey is weak? You bet.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and the good luck you sent. I actually saw some of it come to fruition on the course today!

It started: UPDATE!! After day 3

Q-school. First round today finishes up friday. More to come later...gotta focus!

After Round 2: Still Alive--Made the cut on the number...I have my work cut out for me, but am feeling sharper and will be 'cleaner' tomorrow.

--------
Day 3: I was just average on a day where ABOVE average would have come in very handy. If I can muster a really good one tomorrow hopefully I can make a big move.

A shoutout to all my peeps who keep checking in on me :)

Feeling a 'Wie' bit better

I know you were all very concerned (based on the excessive number of comments I received wishing me well...actually, the one I got...thanks sis) so I am happy to tell you that I am up and running again and feeling good.

Michelle Wie is here preparing to play in qualifying school this week. Her caddy (some cute guy from north of London) was out and about on the course yesterday afternoon tracking down yardages and breaks for the big Wiezy.

What is my take on Wie? She is a just a kid who has a great ability and the potential to be a dominant player. I also think she has been somewhat mismanaged and slightly misguided. She turned pro and signed the $10 million with Nike at the height of the Wie-hype and had she not signed, the risk of her value dropping with a poor finish was great. I get that. From a marketing/business perspective it was the right thing to do, but from an emotional and personal standpoint? To me, that is yet to be determined. Is she the richest one in the field this week? Absolutely. Will she end up in rehab in a few years a la Jennifer Capriati? This might seem a bit extreme but stranger things have happened to young people who are in the limelight and live a fairly controlled life at an early age.

The fact that she is taking the appropriate steps to pursue a career on the LPGA is a good thing. She will earn her spot and in the process earn the respect of her fellow competitors. A player who is not a member of the LPGA tour is allowed 6 sponsor's exemptions per year and the tournaments who she accepts those exemptions from are lucky to haver her. She brings fans in the gates and more people tend to watch on tv. Unfortunately you can feel the tide has turned for Michelle watchers as it feels like many people are waiting in anticipation of her failing.

Golf is a tough sport and to hurl bitterness and ill will towards a 19 year old kid with big dreams is beyond my comprehension. I hope she does well...not only to silence the naysayers, not only to stick it to everyone, but for herself. She could use some good to happen with her golf game. As a fellow player I know what it is like to fall flat in front of everyone (see Canadian Open--actually, don't :)) and it isn't much fun.

It is interesting to see her around the course this week. It is Michelle, her caddie and her parents in tow. No NBC, no ESPN, no Golf Channel, just her and her golf game. I think she is a good young player who, just like everyone this week, is trying to get to that upgraded status in their career.

I wish her well and I will be watching from afar what happens to this young (former) phenom as she evolves in her career and life.

Out of nowhere.

Last night at about 2 a.m. I woke up feeling a bit queezy.

I managed to fall back to sleep and woke up at around 7 a.m. feeling a little tired and weakened, but nothing serious. As the time neared 9:30 (my 5th chiropractor appointment) I started to feel worse and worse. I canceled the appointment (I am now convinced that that practice is a racket--but that is a story for another day) and decided to take the morning off.

Well, the morning off turned into early afternoon, then into late afternoon and basically the whole day. I couldn't do much more than veg on the couch and watch tv. Yes, I couldn't even muster the energy to play my new NHL 09 on xbox. THAT is when you know I am under the weather for sure.

Finally at about 5 pm I mustered the energy to have a shower and I felt a bit more energized...for about a half an hour.

Two days ago I felt the makings of a cold sore (something that I get about once every three years) which is a sure sign that my immune system is a little weakened.

What's next? Shingles?

Don't laugh. I used to think they were something that only old men get...until I broke out with a case of them :(

Keep this on the DL please...

Okay, so I'm a gamer. Most people who know me well know this about me, but otherwise I keep it on the down-low. By no means am I hard-core, but then again, does having a subscription to 'Game Informer' magazine mean I am hard-core?

My poison? Xbox 360. I also have a PSP that I use on the plane sometimes, but mostly it is the 360. I have been addicted, to varying degrees to Call of Duty 4 since I got the game in January. While browsing on the internet within the gaming world I stumbled across a website called: Geezer Gamers, a website for 'mature gamers'. I joined and became part of the 'geezer' community. Since then, I have added several 'geezer's' to my 'friends list' on xbox live and game with them frequently. I am one of the few women, although there are others, who game regularly.

I have been playing video games since I was a kid and the days of Intellivision. My sister and I would spend countless hours playing 'Utopia' and 'Dungeons and Dragons'. One of the best things about being an adult gamer is that when you want a new game, you go buy it. No more begging, pleading, crying and scheming to get your parents to buy that new game, you just go buy it. The difference now, however is that no longer do you buy a game based on the picture on the back of the game or a photo in a magazine (remember Frog Bog sis?). These days, before I buy a game I read a large number of reviews and yes, ask fellow geezers for their opinions.

When I first got Call of Duty 4 I was convinced that I would NEVER use 'that headset thing' and talk to people while I played. Well, now I don't play without it. You have to be able to tell your teammates that there is 'a sniper in the three story, third floor' or that 'someone is laying down by the gas station'. This is integral information for the success of your team!

It is interesting to hear the voices of the guys I play with and imagine what their lives are like. There is 'Demonshadow' and 'True Animosity'. 'Greenmtndragon' and 'Zaygar'. 'Wayne Newton 12", 'x Rossman x' and 'DuckCmndr'. 'Ice Age 48' and 'Iota Chi'.

Some of my friends on my friends list, however, are actually people I know: Trebbybambone and Duckcmndr as well as Top Shelf and TheFlyFan .

We are from all parts of the country, and in some cases, the world yet we all share a common goal--'capture the B flag'.

Gaming has become more widely accepted within main stream pop culture. To me, there is little difference between sitting on the couch watching tv and playing some xbox. In fact, some will argue that more of your brain is engaged while playing the video game. With the detail and complex story lines some of the games have now, it is in some cases, like being submerged into a novel only you get to act out the lead character.

Today was the release of the new EA NHL '09 so you will have to excuse me. I have a player to develop and help him get to the NHL. 'luego.

Say no to crack?

No, not THAT crack!!

Have you ever been to a chiropractor? Until this past friday, I hadn't.  I have never been a believer in that practice, I always felt it was unnatural.  My theory is that if the back is out of whack, it is because the soft tissue is inflamed and it is forcing the spine out of place.  Therefore, if you address the soft tissue, the bone will be able to go back to it's original position.

Anyhow, I am in a situation where I needed my neck to feel better asap so I was willing to do whatever it takes to be ready for qualifying school next week.

Before I did anything, I sought out the advice of three guys who know what they are talking about when it comes to the body: Barry Brennan, Mike Vogt, and Mark Adams.  All three work (or have worked) with the Blue Jackets and are completely dialed when it comes to the body and what makes it move (or not move).  After gathering opinions I walked into the Chiro office still feeling skeptical and unsure of what to expect but willing to give it a try.

After seeing the x-rays of my spine, I could see for myself where there were some vertebrae out of alignment which added some credibility to what this guy was saying.  Then came the moment of 'adjustment'.  Jeremy was very good in the sense that he talked me through what he was going to do before he jolted my neck, but it didn't make it any less uncomfortable.  What a strange feeling it is to have your neck twisted and torqued in a way that you could never do on your own.  Sure enough, crack-crack-crack up through my neck, and then again through the middle of my back.  

I wish I could say that I felt immediate relief and that I am a full bore believer in chiro, but that isn't the case.  I've just had my third session and am beginning to wonder wtf?  Regarding chiropractic care I have always heard that once you go once you have to keep going.  Is that what is going on?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  Realistically speaking it would be odd to think that a problem can be corrected in one session, however although I do feel slightly better, I am wondering if that has more to do with the time passing and the near daily massage I have been getting. 

Has anyone had any experience in this capacity?  I would love to hear your feedback on the matter.

The time is near.

If this doesn't get you excited you really need to see a doctor.  

Thanks to 'Skraut' for another great CBJ video!

Tiger is the man.

For those of you who question the legitimacy of this video, remember that this is a guy who won the US Open with no ACL and a broken leg.  

Greetings and Pleasantries

We have all said them, but rarely do we mean them:

• "Nice to meet you"
• "Pleasure to see you"
• "My pleasure meeting you"
• "Good to meet ya"
• "My pleasure"

And on and on they go. Yesterday I met an older man who, upon meeting him, had a response to a 'pleasantry' that I had never heard before. It went something like this:

Me: Hi Bruce, how are ya?

Bruce: Hi Corina, good thanks. Corina this is my friend whatever his name is.

Me: Hi there, nice to meet you.

Random stranger: Thanks!

Further conversation ensued between Bruce and I and then...

Me: Alright, well it was nice to meet you.

Random stranger: Thanks!

THANKS??? THANKS??? Who says 'thanks'?

I have met a lot of people in my days on earth but not ONE has ever said "thanks" in reply to any of the aforementioned pleasantries. Either this guy really felt that my pleasantry was genuine and honest, or he is that checked out socially that he doesn't know that they are simply things that people say when meeting someone they will likely never see again.

What a doorknob.

Mission Accomplished?

I am sitting here watching the news channel KTLA on a Saturday morning and what is one of the stories?

The LPGA reversing their policy.

Other than stories regarding Michelle Wie way back when she first started playing with men do I ever remember hearing about the LPGA on any sports broadcast that wasn't the golf channel--top story nonetheless.

Has Carolyn Bivens outsmarted us all? She makes a ridiculous policy and creates a big buzz with every major media source jumping on the story keeping the LPGA in mainstream media. A week later she rescinds her policy creating another buzz about her tour. You know what they say: any press is good press. She drew attention to the LPGA tour like it rarely has. Maybe her meeting (click here) ended more like this:

Carolyn: Okay, yes, we will do this and create a big shitstorm surrounding the tour, everyone will be talking about us. I will then make a statement of clarification a few days later to keep our names out there. A few days after that I will make it seem like I have responded to the criticism showing everyone out there that I am willing to listen and heed their advice. It's brilliant!

For one week ever major news source was talking about the LPGA at a point in the season when there is NOTHING worth talking about.

Is a BRAVO in order??

Yeah, you can say I am a prophet...

The LPGA has backed down on their 'English Only' policy of potentially suspending players who didn't display a proficient ability to speak english. You can see the full article here.

Apparently State Sen. Leland Yee, a Democrat from San Francisco, decided that a 'raw-suit' would be fully in order and was planning on demanding that such a policy would be banned in California.

I have played in 4 LPGA tour events and at least that many qualifying schools and filled out entry forms for every one. The only stipulation on any of those entry forms is that you are 'female at birth'. Seriously. It says that. Nowhere in the form does it say you must speak english or does it even ask if you are capable. Had the LPGA gotten away with this, where would they have drawn the line? Height requirements? Weight requirements? Hair colour? It could have been endless.

For a prominent organization like the LPGA to, not only think of something like this, but actually think they were going to carry it out is stunning. Who are the people who are in on these meetings thinking that this is okay? Certainly Carolyn Bivens is the Commisioner but she isn't on an island. Surely she has people around her who advise her, right?

Here is how this particular meeting must have gone:

Carolyn: Okay, how are we going to get more sponsorship and raise the profile of the LPGA tour?

Kip: AMERICAN'S ONLY! No more foreign players PERIOD! Send all those slitty-eyed gals back across the pond where they came from.

Carolyn: Jim, we can't do...

Kip: I am tired of watching those slanty eyed girls with black hair beat us in our own game.

Carolyn: Kip, golf isn't actually our game, it came from Scotland.

Kip: I don't care where it came from. It is ours now because we have the best tour with the most money and so it is ours!

Carolyn: Any other suggestions?

(muffled rustling in chairs as people sit dumbfounded with Kip's suggestion)

Kate: Well, we could instill a grass roots program in the US that would help young players in our country excel beyond just the amateur years. We could raise money to help these girls get whatever they need as they embark upon a career in professional golf. That way they are fully equipped at an earlier age and better prepared when they reach the tour and can challenge for a top spot.

Carolyn: Nah, I am the Commisioner now and what you are describing could take years! I want credit for growing the LPGA now! Dumb idea Kate, you really need to just keep quiet in these meetings.

Diane: How about we take away the cards from all those aging players who only play 3 events a year and distribute more cards qualifying school.

Carolyn: Give more cards out a q-school? Don't you know that q-school is the biggest money grub that we have? We need more people going to q-school every year, not less. Plus, some of those old gals can really tell some filthy jokes can really pound back the wine. I know those old gals can't even come close to competing anymore, but their pro-am teams love them! No, not going to happen. I can't believe I am paying you people for this tripe.

Kip: How about anytime a Korean girl wins, she has to give her speech in American and if she can't, she doesn't get the trophy.

Carolyn: Hm...well, we can't do that, but we can insist that in the future if they don't speak english we will suspend them. That will make more room for more American girls and their ribbons.

Kip: Yeeeehaaa!! That is a great idea! It will be impossible for all them chinks to learn english so we could have another 45 spots for our girls.

Carolyn: Okay. That is what we will do then. Force them to speak American and if they don't, they are out. All in favor?

random voices--ummm, well....uh....are you sure....

Carolyn: Done! This will be our new policy and if they don't like it they can kiss my ass. Great job Kip. Way to be forward thinking! You two, see me in my office immediately.

I bet you that I am not far off.

Come on, just a little thought people.

Now I am not fashion wizard, nor am I really in touch with the right things to wear for what occasion, but I do have an idea of what looks hideous. Here are a few of my top fashion gripes in no particular order:

1. Muffin tops:

I have no issue with carrying a few extra pounds, it happens to the best of this, but for gawd-sakes, why must we highlight it? Certainly a year or so ago, low waisted jeans with virtually no inseam was all the rage. Great. However, just because they are in style doesn't mean you HAVE to wear them. Some people just don't have the body type to suit the latest fades and if you don't have it, why force it? (also can be applied to the 'belly shirt').

2. Girls who wear boxers as shorts: You aren't fooling anyone we know they are glorified underwear. Sure they have a cute pattern and are light and comfy, but really? That is what you are going to tackle the day with? Wrinkled up bunny shorts with a button holding the fly closed and a butt that looks like a filled diaper?





3. This one so fashion 101, but you still see it: Black shoes and white socks:
Why? Why? Why? You buy coloured socks from the same section as you buy white ones, yes even in Coscto, so why not pick up a pack of black/brown/navy while you are at it? Unless you are Michael Jackson, there is no excuse for this one.

4. Tucked in, no belt (yes, you have to look closely, but take my word for it):
Okay, so Steven Jobs was smart enough to change the world with that little Apple company, and everyone in the western hemisphere has at least one form of the ipod, but please, if you are going to tuck in, use a belt. Why isn't he smart enough to realize that you need to separate the top from the bottom with something, otherwise why not just wear a one piece jumper?

5. Socks and with sandals:

What? It is hot...no it's not...I'm so confused!!

6. Ughs: The name says it all.

How in the world does this look good? I am never really a big fan of skirts and boots of any kind to begin with, but these 'boots' are down right hideous looking on their own. Maybe it is my practical Canadian nature, but those 'boots' wouldn't stand up to one of the harsh winters that the Great White North can dish out. I guess a skirt is a fitting partner for these oversized slippers.


7. The Fanny Pack:
Now, unless you are an EMT, in the military or are climbing Mt. Everest, is this really your only option to carry your cell phone, wallet and chapstick? Try as hard as you may, but I have yet to see a fanny pack as cool as this guy is trying to look. Convenient? Yes. A fashion DO NOT? Absolutely.

8. And finally:
Need I say more?


What are your fashion gripes? How many of these are you guilty of?

Translation please...

"When you do this you start knowing people around the game and you stay around all the events, you could know people," Brodeur said. "You have to get your feet wet in these kinds of environments if you're going to be one of the top players, or even just an NHL player. I think they should do more of it. We're a big family and we're all playing the game we love and trying to grow it for the next kid that comes in. Who knows? That could be my kid."

--Marty Brodeur regarding his involvement in an NHL promotional day in NYC.

Stop the puck Marty, just stop the puck.

Release already!

It finally happened. For the first time in my career I had to withdraw from a golf tournament today due to a 'crink' in my back.

It has always been my biggest fear/paranoia and today it came to fruition. I had some tightness in my back the other day, but nothing serious. Typically that goes away after a day or two of, but this one lingered. As you know, I had a massage only a few days ago and then one a few days later to try to get my back in shape before the Cactus Tour event. As I left for Phoenix yesterday it still felt a little tight but nothing that I didn't think would release by the next morning.

Well, I headed out to the course this morning and felt that it was too tight to be able to perform the way I would like. Now, had it been q-school I would have toughed it out, but with q-school being right around the corner I didn't want to risk being on the IR for a few more days.

Yeah I know, Tiger played the US Open on a broken leg and with no ACL but when you think about it, I will play again this season...that is more than I can say about Tiger ;)

I am half expecting to see a cake from my sister show up that has a plank sticking out of saying: "Stiff as a Board".