A win in our first game. Play the second this afternoon. The first game was close, tied going to the last with hammer. Open hit to take one and the win. The boys all played really well.
Later,
JH
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Team practice
Three quarters of the team are playing this weekend at Ardsley in the McKay-Douglas. It will be good to get on the ice together prior to next weekend. Derek still in Denver so he is the missing piece. They have 26 teams so should be plenty of games.
First time in years that I will be traveling back and forth for this event. Typically get a room there even though it is only 45 minutes or so. But with the big travel week coming up decided to go the cheap route.
First game is this afternoon.
Later,
JH
First time in years that I will be traveling back and forth for this event. Typically get a room there even though it is only 45 minutes or so. But with the big travel week coming up decided to go the cheap route.
First game is this afternoon.
Later,
JH
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
"new" rocks
Got to play last night for the first time since we did the rocks. Wow, what a difference. Faster, more glide and the houses are nice and lively now. The next step in the process is to try and get them matched up a little better. Have all the blueprints we did after we sanded them. Will need to go through them and see what the differences are in running surface width. Then move some handles around to get some better pairings.
If you are coming to the Golden Handle expect 24-25 second ice with about 4 feet of curl on draws. Still a little too much curl on takeouts but that will calm down as the rocks get a bit more play.
Now just have to retrain all the newbies in how to throw a handle on these rocks. Need 3 to 4 revolutions or they just wander around down the ice.
Later,
JH
If you are coming to the Golden Handle expect 24-25 second ice with about 4 feet of curl on draws. Still a little too much curl on takeouts but that will calm down as the rocks get a bit more play.
Now just have to retrain all the newbies in how to throw a handle on these rocks. Need 3 to 4 revolutions or they just wander around down the ice.
Later,
JH
Monday, February 23, 2009
It's a rant so maybe stop reading now
Warning: strong language will follow.
I hate fucking chat room trolls. I just hate them. They piss me off and get me all irate so I want to reach through my PC and yank their lungs out. The reason for my outrage:
"She has played two chumps so far...how can you say that she is the class of the field early. Lin and Clark will battle it out to see who goes winless and who gets one win."
This was in response to a post I had made at curling zone about the Women's Olympic trials. It was a short two line post that said McCormick was looking very good after two games. Then this fucking idiot decides to post the above. Of course it was an anonymous post and they didn't have the balls to post their name. Good thing cause I might be on a flight somewhere to kick their ass.
Ruined a perfectly good day. I thought about what to post in response to that for a long time. The thing about trolls is they are looking for reaction hence the name. I guess it is the nature of the beast. Any chat type site will over time become a place where dickheads will troll. Their pathetic lives are so bad that is the only way they can get some happiness.
Mission accomplished for this asshole I guess as I did finally respond. Maybe I just need a thicker skin and need to ignore the trolls.
Later,
JH
I hate fucking chat room trolls. I just hate them. They piss me off and get me all irate so I want to reach through my PC and yank their lungs out. The reason for my outrage:
"She has played two chumps so far...how can you say that she is the class of the field early. Lin and Clark will battle it out to see who goes winless and who gets one win."
This was in response to a post I had made at curling zone about the Women's Olympic trials. It was a short two line post that said McCormick was looking very good after two games. Then this fucking idiot decides to post the above. Of course it was an anonymous post and they didn't have the balls to post their name. Good thing cause I might be on a flight somewhere to kick their ass.
Ruined a perfectly good day. I thought about what to post in response to that for a long time. The thing about trolls is they are looking for reaction hence the name. I guess it is the nature of the beast. Any chat type site will over time become a place where dickheads will troll. Their pathetic lives are so bad that is the only way they can get some happiness.
Mission accomplished for this asshole I guess as I did finally respond. Maybe I just need a thicker skin and need to ignore the trolls.
Later,
JH
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Multi-media curling
This was the day yesterday.
At the club at 7:30 to scrape, hang out to watch some of the curling to get an idea of how the rocks are now. Home for lunch, interwebz stuff and a quick nap.
Scotties comes on at 3:00 so have to watch that of course. US trials start at 6:00 so Mrs is following on the crackberry. Scores and tweets from Derek.
Dinner, another quick nap. Scotties back on at 10:00 with Team Canada playing. Mrs. following the men's trials games on the crackberry. Jennifer Jones steals two in some end at midnight so I can go to bed.
Today will be much the same. Watching the Scotties, following twitter, listening to the audiocast from the Trials and also have to run up to the club for an ice committee meeting.
Derek is also posting on the Nutmeg blog from the Trials if you are interested.
All curling all the time at for the next week or so.
Later,
JH
At the club at 7:30 to scrape, hang out to watch some of the curling to get an idea of how the rocks are now. Home for lunch, interwebz stuff and a quick nap.
Scotties comes on at 3:00 so have to watch that of course. US trials start at 6:00 so Mrs is following on the crackberry. Scores and tweets from Derek.
Dinner, another quick nap. Scotties back on at 10:00 with Team Canada playing. Mrs. following the men's trials games on the crackberry. Jennifer Jones steals two in some end at midnight so I can go to bed.
Today will be much the same. Watching the Scotties, following twitter, listening to the audiocast from the Trials and also have to run up to the club for an ice committee meeting.
Derek is also posting on the Nutmeg blog from the Trials if you are interested.
All curling all the time at for the next week or so.
Later,
JH
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A rousing success
Went to the club this morning to scrape and watch the first game with the reconditioned rocks.
What a difference, more speed, more glide to the rocks and the houses are more reactive.
Will wait to see what happens after a few more games and layers of pebble but hard to believe it will slow down much. Most of the Nutmeggers on the ice where throwing draws through the house for the first couple of ends. A good sign that it is much faster.
Can always add some more curl now that we have the speed but won't do that till next year.
Later,
JH
What a difference, more speed, more glide to the rocks and the houses are more reactive.
Will wait to see what happens after a few more games and layers of pebble but hard to believe it will slow down much. Most of the Nutmeggers on the ice where throwing draws through the house for the first couple of ends. A good sign that it is much faster.
Can always add some more curl now that we have the speed but won't do that till next year.
Later,
JH
Friday, February 20, 2009
Adventures in ice making
Tonight starts the big adventure for Nutmeg. We are "doing" the rocks. What that means is we are attempting to get more speed out of them and perhaps a bit more curl. How is that done? By applying a bit of sandpaper to the bottom of the rock in just the right fashion. We have a couple of experts coming in to show us the technique and do all the rocks.
Finally got to prove to certain doubters that "it is not the ice" which has been my mantra for two years. The doubters borrowed a good stone from Canada and then a bunch of people threw it. Guess what, it was a whole lot faster than our rocks.
So off to the club tonight for a few hours of rock work. Even if we can get a extra second of speed that would be great. Crossing my fingers.
Later,
JH
Finally got to prove to certain doubters that "it is not the ice" which has been my mantra for two years. The doubters borrowed a good stone from Canada and then a bunch of people threw it. Guess what, it was a whole lot faster than our rocks.
So off to the club tonight for a few hours of rock work. Even if we can get a extra second of speed that would be great. Crossing my fingers.
Later,
JH
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By popular demand
Well maybe not "popular" but there was one comment about pictures of the other cats. This is the old lady of the house, Bonspiel. We think she is around 18 years old or so. This is the first picture in many years with her eyes open.
This is the former kitten who is now 10. Snickle is his official name but we call him Poodle. Have no idea where that came from but that is what he answers to.
New picture on right of the kitten in mid-leap. One of his favorite games, I throw the mouse which is in the lower left corner and he leaps after it. A lot of times he catches it in mid-air.
Later,
JH
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Lots of curling coming up
The season of champions time of the year has arrived. That means there is a whole bunch of curling on TV and the internet. I have a feeling that next week I won't get a lot of work done and will be moving my laptop in front of the TV.
Starting on Saturday are the US Olympic trials with Nutmeg's own Charrissa playing for a spot in Vancouver. Also starting on Saturday is the Canadian Women's championship, also known as the Scotties. The Scotties will be on the dish so will be watching Cathy O and Team Jones try to defend their title from last year.
On the US side, Team Lin starts the trials on Saturday as well. Loyal fan and husband Derek will be in Denver and will be audiocasting some of the action over the web. For the first time, the semi finals and finals will be broadcast live on Universal Sports. We get that channel on the cable system so will be watching that as well.
Of course, I happen to be at a bonspiel during all of the semi final and final action. Good thing they have satellite at Ardsley. Will be recording the US games for later viewing. With both the Scotties and the Trials being in the West will make for some late nights of viewing.
Later,
JH
Starting on Saturday are the US Olympic trials with Nutmeg's own Charrissa playing for a spot in Vancouver. Also starting on Saturday is the Canadian Women's championship, also known as the Scotties. The Scotties will be on the dish so will be watching Cathy O and Team Jones try to defend their title from last year.
On the US side, Team Lin starts the trials on Saturday as well. Loyal fan and husband Derek will be in Denver and will be audiocasting some of the action over the web. For the first time, the semi finals and finals will be broadcast live on Universal Sports. We get that channel on the cable system so will be watching that as well.
Of course, I happen to be at a bonspiel during all of the semi final and final action. Good thing they have satellite at Ardsley. Will be recording the US games for later viewing. With both the Scotties and the Trials being in the West will make for some late nights of viewing.
Later,
JH
Monday, February 16, 2009
"Back" from Norfolk
Well, we won the first event but lost a player in the process. Mrs. JH's back did not hold up for the final. She threw one rock and went down on the ice. Good thing 1 of 4 was still there as she went and got geared up and played the rest of the game. We won the game pretty handily and captured the Childs cup. The event is named for Elisabeth and there was a moving tribute to her before the final.
Fun was had by all especially our group as we closed the bar both nights. With only ten teams at the spiel there was no Saturday night curling which really made the event low key. Hopefully next year they can do something to attract more teams.
Nice to have today off from work with just normal stuff to do. Hopefully gonna get a practice game in tonight with the guys. Also playing in the McKay-Douglas with 3/4 of the Nationals team in a couple of weeks.
Later,
JH
Fun was had by all especially our group as we closed the bar both nights. With only ten teams at the spiel there was no Saturday night curling which really made the event low key. Hopefully next year they can do something to attract more teams.
Nice to have today off from work with just normal stuff to do. Hopefully gonna get a practice game in tonight with the guys. Also playing in the McKay-Douglas with 3/4 of the Nationals team in a couple of weeks.
Later,
JH
Friday, February 13, 2009
Off to Norfolk
This weekend is the Norfolk mixed which is a great event and a little sad with only 10 teams playing. Also, this will be the first visit to Norfolk since Elisabeth passed. It wont be the same without her watching from the warm room.
Coach Ray and Mrs. Coach make their first appearance of the year on the ice. DC will also be there and he will be playing with 1 of 4 from the Coach Ray brood who is in town for some reason. I predict there may be some late nights spent in the bar at the club. Good to help out Norfolk financially.
Even get Monday off as a holiday to recover. First time in 20 years I think I have had President's day off. I get one extra holiday a year which moves around based on the calendar.
Later,
JH
Coach Ray and Mrs. Coach make their first appearance of the year on the ice. DC will also be there and he will be playing with 1 of 4 from the Coach Ray brood who is in town for some reason. I predict there may be some late nights spent in the bar at the club. Good to help out Norfolk financially.
Even get Monday off as a holiday to recover. First time in 20 years I think I have had President's day off. I get one extra holiday a year which moves around based on the calendar.
Later,
JH
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Enough with the snow
More effing snow. Just enough in the forecast that we had to cancel curling last night and then we don't get that much. That sucks.
The Club Nationals (cool) draw is up at the USCA site. The big rematch against Potomac happens on Wed. at 4pm. We got seeded eighth which is pretty much what we expected. Now to surprise some folks and win a few games.
Off to Potomac Friday morning by Amtrak, a new adventure.
Later,
JH
The Club Nationals (cool) draw is up at the USCA site. The big rematch against Potomac happens on Wed. at 4pm. We got seeded eighth which is pretty much what we expected. Now to surprise some folks and win a few games.
Off to Potomac Friday morning by Amtrak, a new adventure.
Later,
JH
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weekend wrapup with a Monday bonus
The GNCC Senior Men's Championship completed at Nutmeg on Sunday. Winning rink was from Philadelphia with Rod Waters and Tony Steiert. They had a great game against Stu Graves from Broomstones. This is the 55 and over group and it was the 25th time that Rod has played in it (do the math). Damn, I hope I can still drink beer without a straw at that age.
Sunday night was the super bowl party for Nutmeg and a small birthday celebration for this here blogger. Yep, another year above ground.
Today was interesting. Mrs. JH has a VP coming in on Thursday to go on sales calls with her. So we did a little driving to figure out the route and times. CT to LaGuardia to NJ and back. Just 4 hours or so in the car, nice way to spend a Monday. She gets to do it all over again on Thursday and then get home whenever. Then we have to get ready to catch the train to Maryland on Friday morning.
Heading down to Potomac for the GNCC Mixed Championship. Derek and Charrissa are playing and somehow Mrs. got talked into being the GNCC Chair of the Mixed. So, we will be heading down to watch and email results and blog about it over here.
Just getting ready for the snow tomorrow and the rest of the week will be quiet. Except for maybe the panic calls on Thursday from someone who is lost in NJ.
Later,
JH
Sunday night was the super bowl party for Nutmeg and a small birthday celebration for this here blogger. Yep, another year above ground.
Today was interesting. Mrs. JH has a VP coming in on Thursday to go on sales calls with her. So we did a little driving to figure out the route and times. CT to LaGuardia to NJ and back. Just 4 hours or so in the car, nice way to spend a Monday. She gets to do it all over again on Thursday and then get home whenever. Then we have to get ready to catch the train to Maryland on Friday morning.
Heading down to Potomac for the GNCC Mixed Championship. Derek and Charrissa are playing and somehow Mrs. got talked into being the GNCC Chair of the Mixed. So, we will be heading down to watch and email results and blog about it over here.
Just getting ready for the snow tomorrow and the rest of the week will be quiet. Except for maybe the panic calls on Thursday from someone who is lost in NJ.
Later,
JH
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