Validation of Existence

© 2012 by D. J. Blue. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/30/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7038-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7036-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7037-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012917116

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Contents

The 1³th Annual Taconite Trophy Classic

Star Trek: The Final Analysis

3 Days on Oahu

5 Days in NYC

Guest Writer’s Section

Xetteangel

Slyme

S. K. Black

A Life Lived—A Look Back:

Alcohol

The Insomnia/Ambien Connection: The Final Analysis

Steroids and Baseball

Black and Blue: The Last Blast

Introduction: Validation of Existence

Greetings and felicitations! For those of you who have read one or all of my previous books, welcome back! Once again I have contributed my usual bevy of articles and issues; the new exciting twist for this book is I have gathered several other authors herein, with their contributions being included in a special guest writer’s section. I said back in The Good Life Chronicles that the more writers who contribute to a book, the better it is—it is the equivalent of having a painting with more colors added to it. In that respect, this book is definitely multi-colored. Here is the rundown… the first section is written by myself. Readers of my previous books will recognize the familiar topics and writing style. Leading off the guest writer’s section is Xetteangel, making her writing debut in the series. Her writings are mainly poetry, but also consist of free verse. She adds a feminine flavor not found in these books previously. A little while back, she sent me the writing entitled July 19th. It blew me away, I thought it was one of the best things I had ever read. I told her I wanted to put it in my next book, then I asked for more material. She obliged. Her section is followed by Slyme. Slyme was a friend of Xetteangel who recently passed away due to cancer. She requested that I insert a few of his writings in the book as a remembrance of his life. I obliged. Rounding out the guest writer section is S.K. Black. Readers of my other books will be familiar with his material—his very first submission, the poem Stress Diarrhea way back in 1993—became an instant classic and has since reached folklore status. For his section, he has submitted new poetry material that challenges you to expand your vestibules of thought. Then, to wrap things up, I offer some final sections for your perusal.

One thing that has been asked of me of readers of my previous books is why do I go from one subject to the next, why don’t I just write on one topic? In essence, the books I’ve written are auto-biographical in nature, auto-biographical in a unique way with social commentary mixed in. Life itself is a combination of a multitude of topics, experiences, emotions—my writings are a reflection of that.

What does the title mean? We inevitably search for the meaning of life. Its meaning can be found broken down and simplified yet hidden and vague amongst the routine and mundane events that occur every day. What appear to be inconsequential are actually more significant than they appear on the surface, and are, in essence, a spiritual tally card which life adds up to and is all about. They are many and multi-present. When they are noted and acknowledged, the validation of life becomes apparent.

D. J. B.

The 1³th Annual Taconite Trophy Classic

Course: Wendigo Golf Club                Grand Rapids, MN

For the first time since 2002 and for only the second time ever, the Classic would be reduced to a two man competition. Work would intrude and prevent both S.K. and J.K. from participating this year. The tourney would make its first visit to the western Range since 2001—Wendigo Golf Club would be the site for the 13th Annual. Weather conditions at the start of the tournament: 65 degrees, windy, overcast, with a 70% chance of rain. It would turn out to be the windiest tournament ever—10-20 mph wind gusts would be rather constant during the battle—and the second coldest, second only to the 1997 tourney which was held in June. Yet, as it would turn out, despite the minimal number of participants, it would turn out to be a classic.

1—                   Par 4                   294 yards

The illustrious battle for the prestigious annual golfing prize would start off with a short tree lined par 4. C.M. would shine first, putting it on in regulation, then two putting for the par. I put it on in 3, then two putted for the bogey.

Standings:                   C.M.                   1 Up

D.B.                   —

2—                   Par 4                   394 yards

Another tree-lined drive corridor reminiscent of the Masters. A blind approach shot to the green. I was on in 3, C.M. was on in 5. I three-putted for a 6, C.M. two putted for a 7.

C.M.                   1 Up

D.B.                   1 Up

3—                   Par 5                   530 yards

A severe dogleg right. The scorecard had an additional panel to it, giving advice for each hole. For this hole it advised, Driver not recommended for big hitters. C.M. ended up going right, into a massive snake pit-like depression. However, he recovered nicely, putting his 2nd shot safe. My second shot, on the other hand, squanked left, out of bounds, stroke penalty. However, my next shot, with the same 3 wood/metal, was one of my best shots of the day—200 yards out, I hit it far and straight, putting it on the green, lying 4. C.M. would eventually put it on in 5. However, we both had problems with this green, as we both three putted, I for a 7, he for an 8.

D.B.                   2 Up

C.M.                   1 Up

4—                   Par 4                   311 yards

One of the most unique holes in taconite trophy history awaited us here. On this hole, you had the choice of playing a par 3 or a par 4—on the same hole! Neither C.M. nor myself had encountered such a hole previously. We decided to flip a coin to determine which hole to play. Coin flip says… par 4. Thusly, we teed off on the par 4 tees. The advice on the scorecard for this hole: Big hitters can hit this green. A dogleg right, I whipped out the King Cobra for the left to right action. It did just that, I hit it good, and I ended up with one of my longest drives ever—300 yards! Just 10 yards from the green, with the help of a downhill roll, albeit. I put it on in two, then blew a makable birdie putt, settling for par. C.M. carded a 6, as I won my third consecutive hole.

D.B.                   3 Up

C.M.                   1 Up

5—                   par 5                   542 yards

However, lest I get too cocky, the 1 handicap hole was next. And an errant shot out of bounds on my second shot forced me to add a stroke penalty. By the time I was on the green, I was lying 6, C.M. was on in 5. C.M. two putted for a 7, I three putted for a 9, as I continued to have problems reading the greens.

D.B.                   3 Up

C.M.                   2 Up

6—                   par 4                   378 yards

5 holes had been played, and nary a tie on any of them. This trend would continue, as I hit an errant tee shot, and this spelled trouble. Add to that mixture a touch of frustration, as my ball disappeared going over the green, never to be seen again. C.M. was on in 3, I was on in 4. My first putt ended up short, as I threatened to three putt again. However, I sunk the second putt, rescuing a double bogey. C.M., meanwhile, put his par putt way short. It looked like he initially had the hole won easily. Now he would have to sink this long putt to do what was previously deemed inevitable. The pressure was on him… and he did it, sinking the pressure putt. He earned the win on this hole with that clutch putt, far from gimme range.

D.B.                   3 Up

C.M.                   3 Up

7—                   par 3                   185 yards

Our first par 3 hole. It would not be pretty. My first shot went left, into the water. I used my allotted mulligan, and promptly squanked it into the thick weeds not far from the ladies tee. C.M. pushed his right, even with the green. I took my ball out with a stroke penalty, and hit a great shot, putting it on the green in 3. C.M., on the other hand, searched far and wide and could not find his ball. He would also eventually be on in 3. We would both two putt, tying our first hole on the day.

D.B.                   3 Up

C.M.                   3 Up

8—                   par 4                   418 yards

The first controversial moment of the tournament would occur on this hole. We were both on the green, I was on in 3, C.M. was on in 4. I two putted for a 5, then waited for C.M. to finish. As we putted the guy behind us impatiently waited in the fairway for us to finish. Apparently C.M. felt some duress by this guy waiting in the fairway. He put his first putt short, not in gimme range. But instead of taking his time to size up the putt, he non-chalantly hit it as if it was a gimme, and he missed it! He then claimed he felt pressured and rushed to finish up his putt by the golfer behind us, and claimed we should not count the missed putt. I disagreed with that—I had won the hole via match play, but what if that one stroke came out to be significant in the stroke play tiebreaker? We decided not to count it, and collectively hoped it would not come into play later.

D.B.                   4 Up

C.M.                   3 Up

9—                   par 3                   187 yards

Up next was probably the signature hole of the course: a long par 3 over what looked to be a dried up lakebed now presiding as a marsh ending in a massive green. Complicating factors was a massive wind. I decided to take no chances—I took out my 3 wood/metal and hit it good into the right to left wind. It ended up well on the other side of the green. Not on, but safe. Up next was C.M.—he hit it good and it made it to the green, but just barely—on in regulation 1. However, he had a rather long putt across the massive two tiered green.

I put it on in two and once again three putted—my fourth three putt on the first 9 holes. I came into the tournament with putting as my strongpoint, yet was having all sorts of problems reading the greens. My second putt went on the lip of the cup but didn’t go in. However, C.M. would get the spotlight on this hole. His first putt ended up way short. His par putt also ended up short, just out of gimme range. He lined up and putted his third putt… and then a classic moment occurred. The putt went completely around the cup and came back out towards C.M.! I had never seen that before! From the third person perspective, it was pretty humorous, but I’m sure C.M. didn’t think so. Classic moment. C.M. would 4 putt for a 5. At the turn, I was one up in match play, and just one up in stroke play as well.

D.B.                   4 Up

C.M.                   3 Up

Break time consisted of lunch in the lodge. The food was delicious. I had a Wendigo burger served on a ciabatta bun, C.M. had a glass of Merlot and a too hot to handle grilled cheese sandwich. He handled it quite well, actually.

10—                   par 5                   544 yards

Starting off the back 9 was the longest drive hole. Last year, we had tied for the title. This year we both hit it safe, mine was just a little bit further, as I broke the tie from last year. This was the longest hole on the course, yet with a power drive, and a power 3 wood/metal, I was on the green in regulation. Unfortunately, I once again 3 putted, blowing my opportunity for the par! I had 3 putted 5 of the first 10 holes! C.M. put it on in 5, then one putted for a 6.

D.B.                   4 Up

C.M.                   3 Up

11—                   par 4                   397 yards

By this point, the sky was starting to get darker, and the thought of rain started creeping into the picture. On this hole, I decided to tee the ball up high as per the guidelines on the tee and the guy in the proshop. That was a mistake, as I skyballed it. C.M. on the other hand, hit a perfect shot down the fairway. This would be a hole where both of us scrambled out of trouble. My third shot ended up on a small tuft of grass at the top of a muddy hill next to a tree, slight downhill lie. A bunker lie between my ball and the green. I hit a great iron shot to put it on in 4. Meanwhile, C.M. was down in the gully with a blind shot to the green. He recovered nicely, putting it on the fringe for his third shot. I two putted for a 6. C.M. put it on in 4, then one-putted for a bogey. We were tied once again.

D.B.                   4 Up

C.M.                   4 Up

12—                   par 4                   426 yards

A dogleg left. This called for the Superquad. I hit it and it did exactly what I hoped it would—it followed the dogleg left. C.M. meanwhile, did the opposite as his ball went right—still safe, just making the hole longer than it needed to be. I eventually put it on in 3, C.M. put it on in 5. We both two putted, in a rare case in which more than one stroke separated us on a hole. I was back up by one, with the threat of rain growing stronger. The tournament was now official.

D.B.                   5 Up

C.M.                   4 Up

13—                   par 3                   152 yards

After a string of difficult holes, finally the course relented and gave us an easy par 3. I hit my shot great, right on line with the pin, only to end up short, on the fringe. I would eventually put it on in 2, and two putt for the bogey. C.M. would also put it on in 2, and two putt for the bogey.

D.B.                   5 Up

C.M.                   4 Up

14—                   par 4                   363 yards

A wide open dogleg left. Lots of doglegs on this course—90 degree doglegs at that. This was one of them. I decided to try to cut the dogleg with the Superquad. It went left, just as I thought it would, now did it cut it too much? C.M. decided to play it safe, aimed for the 150 marker, and ended up right next to it. He eventually put it on in 3, and two putted for the bogey. I eventually put it on in 3 and two putted for the bogey.

D.B.                   5 Up

C.M.                   4 Up

15—                   par 4                   391 yards

By this time, the sky was really getting dark to the south, and C.M. felt a certain urgency to speed things up so as to get the round in. Another 90 degree dogleg left! I can’t remember what we did, but the scorecard said we both put it on in 4, and we both two putted for a 6. Identical scores, both strokes and putting, for the third straight hole.

D.B.                   5 Up

C.M.                   4 Up

16—                   par 3                   154 yards

Rumblings of thunder could be heard as we stood at the 16th tee. C.M. knew he was running out of holes, and he nutted it up, as he put it on in 1. I, on the other hand, put it short, and was on in 2. C.M. had been putting well on the day, and that trend continued, as he two putted for the par. I had not been putting well on the day, and that trend continued, as I three-putted for a 5. We were once again tied in match play. Furthermore, by carding a 5, a two stroke difference, we were also tied in stroke play. With just two holes to play.

D.B.                   5 Up

C.M.                   5 Up

17—                   par 5                   519 yards

As we stood atop the elevated 17th tee, rumblings of thunder once again could be heard. And then a brief flash of lightning. C.M. immediately declared he was no longer playing golf. Personally I was a little bit more hesitant—the lightning was far off in the distance, and we had just two holes to go. The storm seemed to be far off in the distance. And then the clubhouse blew the horn, signaling for everybody to get off the course. That was good enough for me—we hopped in the cart and headed to the clubhouse, just the second rain delay in taconite trophy history.

Rain Delay

The rain delay occurred precisely at 5:45 p.m. We arrived at the clubhouse amid rumors of a tornado watch. The humidity had increased significantly on the back nine. I looked at the radar report on the Internet. It did not look good—a massive wall of rain was heading right towards us. Tornado watches up the ying yang. We ordered a couple drinks and had a seat on the covered veranda. The clubhouse said they wouldn’t let anybody back out on the course after 6:50. Our customary two hour waiting out period would be shortened to one hour. Further aggravating was the score—tied in match play, and tied in stroke play, ASSUMING we didn’t count the missed putt by C.M. on the 8th green. You just knew that thing was going to come back and be a factor. You just knew it. As the storm got closer and grew in intensity, so did the controversy originating on the 8th green. The storm arrived, with strong winds, thunder, and lightning. And then it rained forth a good fury. Key word: fury.

We waited around for about 45 minutes. We explored alternatives to finish the tourney. It appeared we had one—come back in three days and finish it then. The lady was kind enough to give us a full 9 hole rain check for the back nine.

As we left the parking lot amidst a furious downpour, C.M. uttered the classic line, RATFARTS!

Day 2                   Resumption of Play

We arrived back at Wendigo Golf Club three days later to totally opposite weather conditions: 10 degrees warmer—75 degrees; blue skies with hardly a cloud in the sky, and just a normal light breeze, in contrast to the constant 20 mph winds encountered the previous visit.

A pre-round consultation was had to discuss two issues: 1, what to do for a second tiebreaker in case we tie on stroke play, and 2. do we resume on the 17th tee? The second tiebreaker needed to be discussed. Given the fact we were dead even with just two holes to play, the idea of being tied in both match and stroke play was a very real possibility. After a brief discussion, the second tiebreaker was decided: