April 28th, 2008

To my loyal readership --- I'd like to start with just a sampling of the comments I've received about BK Golf and More:

A noted actor in NYC said that "this is the funniest stuff I've seen." and this from a professional who has appeared off Broadway, in videos - (rejectedjokes.com ... see episode 4), commercials and will be in the new Robert Dinero (you talkin to me.... that Dinero) movie. When BK Golf and more is picked up for a TV pilot --- this actor has already 'pitched' to play the role of Barry.

A renowned psychologist from Chappaqua, NY said: "this should be required reading for anyone who wants to know about human behavior and group dynamics."

From a loyal reader in Gainesville, Florida we hear: "your last blog was outstanding. The bar has been raised to new heights. Please don't dissapoing."

A new member of our blog from Miami, Florida said: "very funny, entertaining ... I want more!"

And from our person in Durham, North Carolina: "I woke up Sunday smiling because I knew there would be a new blog to read."

A number of people have asked -- can I send these blogs to my parents, my friends, my colleagues .... to those people I say --- this blog is not like a 'favorite restaurant' that you found and your conflicted -- you want to tell people how great it is -- yet you are afraid if you do - the word will get out and there will be lines to get in, the service will suffer ..... Tell everyone about this blog. We are already the fastest growing blog on Sherbrooke Rd. The more hits we get, the more likely we will attract the type of advertisers we want. So I say: "Go Forth and Multiply our Readership!"

Every blog has it's detractors -- To my Houston reader who wants to know why there aren't pictures and videos on the blog -- talk to my IT expert.

Apologies in advance to the critic from Ardsley, NY who wants to know why there are so many typos and grammatical errors .... very simple -- I skipped 8th grade when they taught that stuff.

and now to Today's Blog: We woke to a beatiful sunrise, temperatures expected to be in the low 70's, no humidity -----NOT ---- it was a rainy, dreary morning. Barry was not able to make it today -- last day of Passover and a memorial service is recited. (What other golf blog gives you Jewish religious practice.) We drafted a good community friend, Les, to take his place. Les and I go back 15+ years when we coached the Nets -- a championship soccer team in the 5 yr. old division. We coached many a soccer and basketball team together over the years (our boys remain 'best buds' today) and Les -- always wanted to confess -- "I still don't understand the wheel that you were trying to teach the kids on our basketball team."

A request was made to broaden the blog to include a fashion commentary. (Martha Stewart - beware). Dan came dressed in a very stylish orange nike jacket - with black trim that matched his black shirt, white dockers and golf shoes. Not to be outdone - Richie was well coordinated, dressed in an olive motif -- matching jacket, pants, shirt and wearing golf shoes. Embarrasing the group was Les in a NY Mets jacket and hiking shoes and me -- wearing my son's windpants from middle school with a bright yellow stripe down each leg -- and also hiking shoes. One of our group was very proud of his 'spiritual retreat' (his words, not mine) to Woodberry Commons where he took great pride in his purchase of a cashmere sweater that originally cost $600 to less than $100.

The foursome in front of us -- the regular group - not Tony's crew (for first time readers - scroll down to Thursday's blog) must have read Richie's rules because we didn't have to wait. Also - there was no group on our heels - so other than the rain -- which kept coming until the 12th hole -- there were no problems.

Golf is a game of rules -- and Les broke the cardinal rule of "practice makes perfect" by hitting his first tee shot after not playing for a year - not warming up and not even taking a practice shot - perfectly in the fairway. Les continued that style of play - no practice - get up and hit for most of the course, doing at least as well, if not better than the rest of us.

As we say on BK Golf and More --- golf is a metaphor for life. There are variables that are out of your control - and as much as you try to adjust -- some days are rougher than others. The rain made today a tough one to play the course. Bounces and rolls that you can expect to get on a good day - just weren't there -- Tougher to get the ball in the air and get any distance. (although in fairness to Richie -- he did a good job of 'tree trimming' today.) And if Richie was in the trees - Less was at the beach a good part of the day. The one good thing I can say about my game was that I didn't lose a ball -- because they are hard to lose when you constantly dribble it a few feet at a time. Dan's game was quick -- he left after 9 .... to do a food shop and take a sauna. Dan's concern about his Country Club potentially being sold and what to do about the initiation fee generated much sympathy. Anyone with any advice should feel free to direct it to Dan.

Allow me to digress --- the fifth hole appears to inspire serious discussions. Quite a number of you responded with an overwhelming "NO" to the survey in an earlier blog -- where one of the players contimplated returning chairs to costco after using them once. Some even threatened to call the store and alert them to this impending fraud. As often happens - this golfer had a change of heart - and upon the threat of bodily harm from his wife - did NOT return the chairs. We are proud that this blog played a part in helping this golfer from straying ....If he would have returned chairs what would have stopped him from dipping into the tzedukah box ....

The question posed to the group was: "Who does the food shopping in your house?" Why this was brought up now concerns me a bit .... but that's the beauty of the blog ... the question could easily have been -- "What do you think of the Sean Bell Verdict?" but we like to get 'personal.' The answers were across the board from - I do 95% of the food shopping to 'what food shopping?'

Our IT person will provide you with the vital statistics on today's game.

Life's lesson for today -- "sometimes you just hit the ball from one trap to the next ... but you got to keep playing."

-- hoping you hit them long and straight.

bk