Las Vegas Blues

Let me begin by setting the story straight – I love to visit Las Vegas. The weather, 24 hour action, glitz, and just plain excitement are intoxicating. I am convinced that the ladies look as good when in Las Vegas as they ever do. Of course, consider the source. I am not sure about the guys. If you are in to people watching, it has to be one of the best venues in the nation.

My wife and I tried it out again recently for a weekend. On the plane there, we discussed all of the things we planned to do: walking around enjoying temps some 50 degrees higher than home, take in a movie we never seem to have the time to see, relax with a quiet cocktail, enjoy a good meal, and generally chill out. I am not sure what happened but I am quite sure none of the plans came to fruition except maybe enjoying the weather – from the airport to the cab to the hotel entrance! Whether it was the allure of the clanging machines, the hoots and hollers from the crap tables, the dream of instant wealth at the blackjack tables, or the offerings of adult beverages at every turn, we returned home with only fewer brain cells and dollars.

However, having not accomplished our goals, I am ready to return and try it again!

Golf 2010

Rounds are down, revenues are down, and the number of golfers is down. Can it all be blamed on the economic downturn? Surely some if not a lot attributed to job insecurity if not just plain lack of disposable income. However, when the dust settles and we head into a growth period, will the game be back as before? It will be back but to what extent?

The demographics seem to support a surge in golfers as more and more baby boomers retire, maybe not as soon as they had planned, but retire they will. I am in that group and after actually burning out a number of years ago, I am ready to buy new sticks in 2010 and hit the links. 

Very good public courses are plentiful, privates are cutting deals for new members and it is still a social activity for both pleasure and business. Once folks settle into this age of internet connectivity and business picks up, I believe time will be made for a round of golf. If I have a concern, it is the connectivity I referred to above. Will folks be able to leave the iPhone and Blackberry’s in the car, or will they meld the two together? How will it affect the game? That is the question.

Wagering has begun

The MN Vikings moved one step closer to a Feb 7^th Super Bowl appearance but the real betting is not whether they can beat New Orleans and get there.  No, the real wagering is on whether Brett Favre will retire or not when the Vikings season is over!  The betting is fast and furious with the line changing so quickly that only one of the overweight guys in the dark clothes and sunglasses at a Vegas sports book can keep up.  Will he retire?  Will he retire and then un-retire? With what team?  When will he decide?  There is action to go around and the changing odds are being watched closer than a very drowsy prison guard who has carelessly left his key ring and gun within reach of the prisoner in cell 27.

After 1 of Brett's 4 TD passes

In addition to the next game there is lots of water cooler talk about who would take a retired Favre’s position next year.  In fact, the two contenders Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson were seen arguing about who was most inept at that position.  Seems Rosenfels won the argument when he accepted Jackson’s excuse for what would have been the tying turnover.  Tavaris claimed he didn’t fumble in game 3 but rather, he purposely set the ball on the ground to wipe off his hands before picking it back up and promptly being thrown for a 15 yard loss.

And so it is here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, the State that is not participating in global warming.  As for me, I am just looking forward to the GIS in San Diego!

Another Backyard Ice Rink

In an update from a post I put up last March on people in Minnesota putting up rinks in their backyards.  I recently received this picture from a person, Brad Goulet,  who is not in the golf industry but who had come across my blog.  Click on the pictures below for a good look.  If you have any new pictures of the rinks you’ve made please pass along to info@paraide.com.

It might just be me but, Minnesota can look pretty good in the winter.

More New Year’s Resolutions?

Do you make them?  Ever keep them?  So, why do you make them?  Hope springs eternal does it not?

I stopped making resolutions on New Year’s about the same time I realized that staying up till midnight was only because I was supposed to stay up. Quite frankly, I have never been relieved or especially happy to have one year end and another begin because that only meant I was getting another year older!

From my perspective, people fall into three categories when it comes to New Year’s.  The first group really does like to party and after imbibing a few extra adult beverages then they had intended, generally wish the next morning that they hadn’t.  Thus was born the tradition of making a resolution! The second group really doesn’t like New Year’s Eve, considering it amateur’s night.  Getting together with a few close friends and enjoying a good bottle of wine is the ticket for them.  And then there is the third group, who claim to hate New Year’s revelry and stay home only because they didn’t get invited anywhere to do anything.  I remember being in that group a year or more in the past!

 There is one more group.  At the senior living facility where my mom lived, she always thought it so funny that the facility would annually stage a ball drop at 7:30 pm so the “elderly” (her words as she was just 89) residents could celebrate before bedtime.  She saw more midnights than I did.

We’re in the second group.  Actually saw the ball drop 3 or so of the past 10 years.  Our only concern is being sure the first thing we eat on Jan 1^st is a bowl of black eyed peas for good luck. (My wife is from the South.)  Happy New Year!