Author: Joe

Categories
Sports

Shuffleboard

ShuffleboardHaving not played shuffleboard since way back at the M.R.A. probably during the late 80’s, I was looking forward to this last Honey Badger Fun Day. I’ve heard legends of the greatness of the Ocean City Shuffle Board Club facilites and was anxious to behold it in all it’s glory.

I am most pleased to state that all shuffleboard in OC lived up to the hype. There were a ton of courts, some shaded and others in the sun to choose from. Most importantly is was all free! I’m always amazed when I can find something free, just seems so rare anymore.

The rules were a little tricky to figure out, I just assumed that others would know how to play. I really should’ve looked them up beforehand in retrospect, but with smartphones we figured it out in no time. Or at least figured it out well enough to play (still not sure of the order of whom goes first during a game).

We had a really terrific best of 3 doubles match once we all got the hang of it. It was a very intense match with some nifty precise shots throughout. Lots of fun.

My favorite new terms that I learned was “the kitchen” and “liner” I will abuse both terms as much as I possibly can now. I do believe I’ve found a new game to play.

Categories
Sports

Kickball Season 2 Playoff Game 2

Our second game of the playoffs had us facing off against the undefeated Terror Squad. When last we met we lost a heartbreaker in extra innings. So we knew we were in store for a great game.

The game was originally set to be played the previous week, but was cancelled due to rain the predicted t-storms in the area. The delay couldn’t of come at a better time for the Honey Badgers. Sean was away and Kevin and John B. weren’t feeling well. The extra week really allowed some of our better players a better shot to contribute to the team.

Leading up to the game Irena and I really discussed possible lineups a great deal. She as usual had some great ideas and it’s so great to have her as an asset to the team. Not only physically, but mentallyI can always rely on her to help make game decisions.

Well 6:00 finally rolled around and the weather was perfect for kickball. The captains exchanged lineups and we finally got to begin.

The first innig we put a run on the board. I was hoping to get a few more, but it was still a good start.

The Terror Squad answered back with a few runs of their own. We all knew we were in for a tight game.

John B. made some amazing plays in the field. He really stepped up his defense and made several amazing and very important catches. His addition to the team has been big all season, and his uncanny ability to come through in the clutch has saved us countless times.

Offensively it was not our finest day. A lot of that goes to the very solid fielding of the Terror Squad, but I still thought we had a few opportunities that we could’ve capitalized on further.

At the plate I was fortunate enough to of had a pretty solid game for us. Going 3-3 and knocking in 2 big runs. I kept getting to second and threatening runs, but I never did make it home and they were just threats. I’m really glad I was able to contribute in our big game, I really didn’t want to let anyone down.

The game would continue to be played very tight as two good teams battled it out. At the end of the day, the Terror Squad would wind up winning it 6-4.

We were bummed and really felt we could’ve won that one, but hats off to the Terror Squad. They played better and didn’t give us many opportunities to capitalize on.

Despite the loss and an ending to our season I truly couldn’t of been happier. Our team was great and truly played as a team all season. I had so much fun with these guys and can’t imagine what I used to do on Tuesday’s before this.

What a great season.

 

Categories
Books

A Feast for Crows

A Feast for CrowsA Feast for Crows was a bit different than what I was expecting after reading the first three installments of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. It didn’t focus on the characters I’d gotten used to from previously. Very little Jon Snow, Daenaryes, etc.

The amounts of characters and various stories going on is getting a bit crazy. Early on I found it to be a bit confusing with the Dornish folks, but about midway through all was beginning to make sense again to me. That’s also when things started to pick back up for me.

It’s interesting to see the shift from one king, to five kings, now to pretty much three queens. Just when you think you know what direction things are going in, things tend to get mixed up a bit which keeps things interesting.

While this has been my least favorite of the books thus far, it was still an enjoyable read. Onward to the fifth book!

Categories
Adventure

Stuck Boat

Went on a fishing adventure today. I know next to nothing of the mighty ocean, and usually tend to get sick in the past. However, it was super nice outside today, so a fishing adventure on the seas was a welcome idea to me.

We seemed to be going well, and dropped our lines somewhere off of Margate, I think a little bit past the bridge actually. Not too much was biting today, only reeled in one flounder and it was too small to keep.

The real adventure took place when we both realized that we could see the bottom of the ocean. Oh no, somehow we had managed to drift onto some sand. Lots and lots of sand actually. We were stuck, really stuck.

So we began plotting of best solutions to our dilemma. As it was getting later in the day, the tide was not working in our favor. So we hopped into the water and it wasn’t even up to our knees and sometimes barely up to our ankles.

We pushed as hard as two guys could push, barely getting any footing in the muck and sand. It was pretty tough work and at times the boat wouldn’t even budge. Finally we thought to try pushing from the back, then pushing from the front side.

This showed some progress, so we kept with this tactic hoping that we could somehow get out. Literally inch by inch, and after quite a bit of time we finally freed the vessel

It was a pretty great feeling once we thought that we had it free. Hearing that motor startup was a wonderful sound. I think I will be sore for quite a bit for this one.

Categories
Books

Storm of Swords

Storm of SwordsContinuing with the Game of Thrones reading, I just finished up Storm of Swords. I do believe this was the longest book I’ve read to date. It was pretty massive and the poor binding was a bit tough to handle with all the pages.

It continued with all the good stuff that got me eagerly through the first two. Again, I still find it surprising how no character is off limits to being killed off. I guess I should be used to it now, but it still surprises me.

In fact, not many of the characters from the first book are still around by the end of this one.

The whole magical and mystical stuff has really increased now. It really does make for some interesting stuff. It’s getting a bit Lords of the Ringsish with all the monsters and beasts. I also did enjoy the the various side stories joined up or overlapped at points, Like Bran and Samwell.

Despite weighing in at half a ton, it was a fine read.

Categories
Sports

Kickball Season 2 Playoff Game 1

With our lackluster performances in our last 2 dodgeball playoff appearances, I was really hoping that kickball would be different for us. Our opponents were the fourth seeded Banzai Executioners who beat us earlier in the season. This was a pretty good match-up and one that I thought we should be able to take, but it would be close.

Apparently we all came to play last night. It was great, and this would go on to be our best overall game of the season. Things were just clicking and we really did a great job of manufacturing runs with the bottom of our lineup.

As the visiting team we got off to a terrific start. Our always potent top of the lineup got us five big early runs. The early lead really let us play with more confidence in the field, and it showed. Kevin got us started with a dribbler right up the middle and the rest of our guys just did their thing finding spots in the defense and hitting them.

Defensively we were just solid all around. Making all the catches, with some outstanding team defense as well. Caitlin pegged another runner this week, erasing yet another potential run! She must lead the league in pegs at this point.

She also utilized John K.’s strong arm in relaying throws to him to second. Very heads up team play by the Honey Badgers.

While playing first a ball that was just a bit over my head, I just barely was able to get a finger on it and tipped it just enough so that a charging Dustin coming from right field was able to make an outstanding catch on the play. Knowing where one another in the field and having confidence in each other really payed off.

Steph also made a very big catch of her won playing a shallow right field. It was an important catch and it was great to see her make a big play! She would go on to nab Honey Badger of the Week honors for it.

Offensively we were just on as a team. Production came from all parts of the lineup. John B. was back and it showed, going 4-4 with some big kicks. Kevin lead us off with a kick and didn’t let up going 4-4 as well.

I had one of my better days as well, kicking with some power getting a double and was robbed of a hit by an outstanding play by the Banzai third baseman. I knew that I’d have to be aggressive to try to manufacture us a run late in lineup and had a aggressive slide taking second base. I think I surprised the team, especially Kevin and could hear his praise. On the next play it payed off as I scored on an all out sprint from second to home.

This was a tremendous game and I was so proud of how well and hard everyone played. It was a very fine moment for the Honey Badgers franchise winning 11-4.

Can’t wait to continue our playoff run next week!