Golf, Grill, and Groups.

The other day, I happened upon some free tickets to the practice round of Golf at the NEC Invitational here at Akron's Firestone Country Club.

I am not a golf fan. I don't even pretend to be. But it was a beautiful day, and I'd never been on this famous course that is right here in Akron's backyard. So I went.

Of course I got a huge sunburn, but it was worth it. I remember thinking, "Man, this is beautiful, relaxing, and hey - there's Tiger Woods!" Tiger Woods is a pretty good golfer, and I took several pics of him - see our photos page.

Earlier today, I was busy peeling layers of sunburnt skin off of my forehead when I stumbled haplessly upon a couple of free passes to today's final round at the NEC Inviational.

Yes, real golf. Real tournament golf. Fifty of the greatest golfers invited to this World Tournament event. I decided that, just a day after hearing our "dream team" lost to Lithuania in basketball, I needed a day at the golf course.

Usually, I need a day at the golf course like I need a hole in my head. I golf about once a year, and I don't know what words like "handicap, slice, or divot" mean. But on this 80-degree, clear day in Akron, I figured I didn't have much to lose.

My Dad and I had a great time, bumped into Jonathan Wiley, and saw Tiger and others up close. I wanted to see a pretty close finish, but Stewart Cink wouldn't allow it. Stewart, you see, is a golfer, and he pretty much shut down the competition again today. Tiger had his chances, but couldn't put very well. I remember whispering once, "Bad shot, Tiger," and thinking there's no way I could have shot that well at any time on any course in front of thousands of people either, so I have no reason to talk.

I can't golf, and a I can't grill. That's right, my grill is broke. So Jennie and I celebrated yesterday by going to two cookouts. One was for Scott Lambert's 30th birthday in Stow, and the other was our small groups cookout in Green. My grilling motto goes something like this: "Have Tabasco, will travel!"

That's right, I like it hot. I had delicious chili con queso dip at the Lambert's, which I hear is a family speciality. Then, at Dan & Jill Bahry's, I had a terrific burger off the grill.

I can't golf, and I can't play volleyball. We had volleyball at both cookouts. Dan and Jill's version was in the pool, which was a blast. (Here's about the time in a normal blogger entry where I wonder "Is this really so interesting that I have to put it on the internet?" Then I am quickly reminded by another voice inside that says, "You know, there's a lot of stuff on the net that's not interesting at all, so my post about backyard volleyball will fit right in.")

After pool volleyball and burgers, we watched the Browns pretend like they can be a good football team. I love the Browns, but I don't believe it. I think they'll be lucky to win five or six games. Then, on to to foosball table. I reflected momentarily on my college days, where we'd all hang out in the "student union" gameroom after dinner, and let the seniors thrash us in foosball.

Seemed like an eternity of getting beat on by Bryan Matheny, Gossard and Henderson, and maybe even Chris Radloff. Can't remember what that guy looked like, but I remember he was a mean foosball player. They were all mean, that is, until Dave Matheny and I got together. This is the part where I tell you that Dave and I went on to win the Grace College Foosball Fiesta Bowl or something.

I can still play foosball. Just not as good as Dan Bahry.

(Note: As this entry is coming to a close, Allie is giving me her opinion of this post, loudly filling up her diaper. She's the cutest!)