A Cat's Life

US Election 2008: Results

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:50:00 +0000

Congratulations to President-Designate Obama!

The complete results don't seem to be final yet, with 4 senators not decided and North Carolina and Missouri not called (although I can't see why they don't call North Carolina).

If I use CNN's current numbers, this is what we get:
Winner: Obama
Popular Vote: Obama 53, McCain 46
Electoral Vote:
McCain 174 = 142 + GA 15, MT 3, ND 3, MO 11
Obama 364 = 234 + FL 27, NH 4, NC 15, VA 13, PA 21, OH 20, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5, IN 11
Senate: 56-60

So given that, how did we do? Much better than in the Canadian election, it seems.

Champ wins, or at least we will call him "Winner-designate" pending the final tally.

He got every state right and completes a rare double: Canada and USA. FC, says I.

Gilman and I got the popular vote right (although this may change), and only a single state wrong. If I could have got just a few hundred more votes in Missouri... oh well there's always 2012 when I'll be predicting a Palin landslide.

Note: we'll ignore the Senate calculations until December or so.

STANDINGS
1. Champ 3 points
0 + 3 + 0 (All states correct)

T2. Gilman 11 points
0 + 0 + 11 points (IN)

T2. Snowy 11 points
0 + 0 + 11 points (MO)

4. Oaf 33 points
0 + 3 + 30 (NH, IN, NC)

5. Glenn 41 points
0 + 3 + 38 (NC, OH, ND)

6. Steel Curtain 76 points
0 + 3 + 73 points (IN, FL, OH, NC)

7. Mum 89 points
0 + 3 + 86 points (FL, VA, NV, CO, MO, ND, MT, GA)

8. Dad 113 points
0 + 9 + 104 (MI, NC, VA, PA, CO, NM, MO, MT)

US Election 2008: Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:36:00 +0000

Feel free to post your prediction on the upcoming US Presidential Election as a comment on this blog or email me directly. I will append all comments and emails to this main posting until 11:59PM on Monday, November 3, 2008.

The quiz consists of four questions.

1. The Winner?
This question is a simple "Who Will Win the Presidential Election?" Failure to say "Obama" (the correct answer) will cost you 1000 points. Failure for the US voters to get this right will cost us all a lot more.

2. Popular Vote
The second question is for the popular vote. Pick McCain and Obama's percentages only. Lose 3 points for each percentage you differ by.

3. Senate
How many Senators will the Democrats (and their proxies) end up with? Lose 1 point for each number you are off by (It is expected to be between 53 and 62).
Breaking news: I'm counting Sanders and Lieberman in this calculation. This makes the most sense since they will be caucausing with the democrats.

4. Electoral Vote
This question is for the states. You will lose the number of electoral votes available for each state you get wrong. I am ignoring the congressional district electoral votes for Nebraska and Maine for the purposes of this quiz, but feel free to write-in any changes here if you have one.

To aid those readers who can't quickly name all 50 states, I list some "solid Obama" and "solid McCain" states. Feel free to change as you wish, but you probably shouldn't. If you say nothing, I'll assume you agree with me here.

I have assigned these 18 states to McCain (142 electoral votes)
SC 8, TX 34, AL 9, LA 9, MS 6, TN 11, KY 8, OK 7, AR 6, WV 5, KS 6, NE 5, SD 3, AZ 10, UT 5, ID 4, WY 3, AK 3

I have assigned these 18 states (and 1 district) to Obama (234 electoral votes)
MA 12, CT 7, ME 4, RI 4, VT 3, NY 31, NJ 15, MD 10, DC 3, DE 3, MI 17, IL 21, WI 10, MN 10, IA 7, CA 55, WA 11, OR 7, HI 4

These are 14 possible toss-ups (162 electoral votes):
NH 4, FL 27, GA 15, NC 15, VA 13, MO 11, PA 21, OH 20, IN 11, ND 3, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5, MT 3

So please submit your answers, and may the best candidate win.

1. Gilman
1. Winner: Obama
2. Popular vote: Obama - 53%, McCain - 46%
3. Senate: 59(D) / 41 (R)
4. Electoral vote:
McCain(142)+ GA 15, ND 3, MT 3, MO 11, IN 11
Total: 185
Obama(234)+ FL 27, NH 4, NC 15, VA 13, PA 21, OH 20, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 353

2. Snowy
1. Winner: Obama
2. Popular vote: Obama - 53%, McCain - 46%
3. Senate: 58(D) / 42 (R)
4. Electoral vote:
McCain(142)+ GA 15, ND 3, MT 3
Total: 163
Obama(234)+ IN 11, MO 11, FL 27, NH 4, NC 15, VA 13, PA 21, OH 20, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 375

3. Steel Curtain
1. Winner: Obama
2. Popular vote: Obama - 52%, McCain - 46%
3. Senate: 58(D) / 42 (R)
4. Electoral vote:
McCain(142)+ GA 15, ND 3, MT 3, + IN 11, MO 11, FL 27, NC 15, OH 20,
Total: 247
Obama(234) NH 4, VA 13, PA 21, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 291

4. Mum
1. Winner: Obama.
2. Popular Vote: 53 / 47.
3. Senate: 59(D) / 41(R).
4. Electoral votes:
McCain: 142 + FL 27, VA 13, CO 9, NV 5.
Total: 196
Obama: 234 + NH 4, GA 15, NC 15, MO 11, PA 21, OH 20, IN 11, ND 3, NM 5, MT 3.
Total: 342

5. Dad
1. Winner: Obama.
2. Popular Vote: 52 / 48.
3. Senate: 58(D) / 42(R)
4. Electoral votes:
McCain 142 + MI 17, GA 15, NC 15, VA 13, PA 21, ND 3, CO 9, NM 5
Total: 240
Obama 234 - MI 17 + NH 4, FL 27, MO 11, OH 20, IN 11, NV 5, and MT 3
Total: 298

6. Glenn
1. The Winner: Obama
2. Popular Vote: Obama 53 - McCain 47
3. Senate: 60(D) / 40 (R)
4. Electoral votes:
McCain 142 + GA 15, NC 15,MO 11,OH 20,MT 3
Total: 206
Obama 234 + FL 27, VA 13, PA 21,NH 4, IN 11,CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 329
No winner selected ND 3

7. Champ
1. The Winner: Obama
2. Popular Vote: Obama 53 - McCain 45
3. Senate: 60(D) / 40 (R)
4. Electoral votes:
McCain(142)+ GA 15, MO 11, ND 3, MT 3
Total: 174
Obama(234)+ IN 11, FL 27, NH 4, NC 15, VA 13, PA 21, OH 20, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 364

8. Oaf
1. The Winner: Obama
2. Popular Vote: Obama 52 - McCain 45
3. Senate: 56(D) / 44 (R)
4. Electoral votes:
McCain(142)+ NH 4, GA 15, NC 15, MO 11, IN 11, ND 3, MT 3
Total: 204
Obama(234)+ FL 27, VA 13, PA 21, OH 20, CO 9, NM 5, NV 5
Total: 334

Please note that we are counting Sanders and Lieberman for the Democrats.

Canadian Election 2008: Results

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:46:00 +0000

The results are in and it is time for congratulations to Stephen Harper on winning a second term with an increased minority. The Tories did far better than every participant in this pool predicted and the Liberals did far worse.

But enough about the actual election. So who won the pool????

Final Results
1. Champ 88
2. Big J 97
3. Glenn 101
4. Oaf 112
5. Mum 117
6. Snowy Cat 123
7. Steel Curtain 144
8. Gilman 150
9. Dad 151

Congratulations to the Champ for winning!

But realistically speaking, none of our predictions were particularly impressive, so let's all try to do better in the US Election Pool.

See you when the minority government falls.

Actual Result
1. Election Result
CONSERVATIVE MINORITY

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 143, LIB: 76, BQ: 50, NDP: 37, OTH: 2

3. Popular Vote
CON: 38, LIB: 26, BQ: 10, NDP: 18, OTH: 8

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: Ont, BC, Man, Alta, Sask, NB
Liberal: NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que
Tie: Terr

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? CON
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? NO

POOL PARTICIPANTS

1. Champ 88 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 9 LIB: 9 BQ: 6 NDP: 5 OTH: 1
: 30 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 9 LIB: 0 BQ: 0 NDP: 3 OTH: 6
: 18 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 10 points (Central Nova, Alberta)

2. Big J 97 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 9 LIB: 14 BQ: 1 NDP: 1 OTH: 1
: 26 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 18 LIB: 0 BQ: 3 NDP: 15 OTH: 0
: 36 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 5 points (Central Nova)

3. Glenn 101 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 19 LIB: 24 BQ: 0 NDP: 4 OTH: 1
: 48 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 9 LIB: 0 BQ: 0 NDP: 0 OTH: 9
: 18 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 5 points (Alberta)

4. Oaf 112 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 12 LIB: 20 BQ: 3 NDP: 11 OTH: 0
: 46 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 6 LIB: 15 BQ: 3 NDP: 6 OTH: 6
: 36 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 10 points (Saanich, Alberta)

5. Mum 117 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 8 LIB: 18 BQ: 3 NDP: 11 OTH: 2
: 42 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 3 LIB: 12 BQ: 3 NDP: 6 OTH: 6
: 30 points
4. Provincial Winners: 20 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 10 points (Saanich, Central Nova, Alberta)

6. Snowy Cat 123 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 25 LIB: 23 BQ: 1 NDP: 3 OTH: 0
: 52 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 18 LIB: 6 BQ: 0 NDP: 6 OTH: 6
: 36 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 5 points (Alberta)

7. Steel Curtain 144 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 27 LIB: 34 BQ: 2 NDP: 4 OTH: 1
: 68 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 18 LIB: 9 BQ: 0 NDP: 3 OTH: 6
: 36 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 10 points (Central Nova, Alberta)

8. Gilman 150 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 23 LIB: 20 BQ: 5 NDP: 10 OTH: 2
: 60 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 18 LIB: 9 BQ: 15 NDP: 6 OTH: 12
: 60 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 0 points

9. Dad 151 points
1. Election Result: 0 points
2. Seat Tally: CON: 19 LIB: 35 BQ: 0 NDP: 14 OTH: 2
: 70 points
3. Popular Vote: CON: 3 LIB: 18 BQ: 3 NDP: 12 OTH: 0
: 36 points
4. Provincial Winners: 30 points (Ontario, NB,Territories)
5. Questions: 15 points (Saanich, Central Nova, Alberta)

Canadian Election 2008: Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:01:00 +0000

All readers of this blog are encouraged to submit election predictions for the Canadian Federal Election, which takes place Tuesday October 14, 2008. Simply add your predictions as a comment (or email me) - I will remove the comment and add your predictions to the main article. If you prefer that I refrain from posting your predictions until the last minute, I will oblige.

This is for glory only - and is not a money contest. Only picks submitted before the first polls close will be included.

Please pick:
1) Government Result
2) Seat Tally
3) Popular Vote
4) Provincial Winners
5) Special Bonus Questions

Scoring works as follows:
Points (which are bad) are given for results that diverge from reality. The person with the fewest accumulated points wins. Results will be posted in a followup blog entry.

1) Government Result
- receive 25 points if you get the wrong winner
- receive 15 points if you get the government type wrong (e.g. majority vs. minority)

2) Seat Tally
- receive 1 point for each seat you are off for each of the 5 main parties

3) Popular Vote
- receive 3 points for each % you are off each party's final vote count

4) Provincial Winners
- receive 10 points if you get the province winner wrong
Note: Yukon/NWT/Nunavut are grouped together as "Territories".

5) Bonus Questions
- receive 5 points if you get a bonus question wrong
a) Who wins Papineau (Justin Trudeau)?
b) Who wins Saanich-Gulf Islands?
c) Who wins Central Nova (Elizabeth May)?
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra?
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre?
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep?

2006 Predictions
2006 Results

POOL PARTICIPANTS

Gilman

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 120, LIB: 96, BQ: 45, NDP: 47, OTH: 0

3. Popular Vote
CON: 32, LIB: 29, BQ: 15, NDP: 20, OTH: 4

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? CON
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? NO

Champ

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 134, LIB: 85, BQ: 56, NDP: 32, OTH: 1

3. Popular Vote
CON: 35, LIB: 26, BQ: 10, NDP: 19, OTH: 10

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? GREEN
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Big J

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 134, LIB: 90, BQ: 49, NDP: 34, OTH: 1

3. Popular Vote
CON: 32, LIB: 26, BQ: 11, NDP: 23, OTH: 8

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? LIB
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? NO

Snowy Cat

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 118, LIB: 99, BQ: 49, NDP: 40, OTH: 2

3. Popular Vote
CON: 32, LIB: 28, BQ: 10, NDP: 20, OTH: 10

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? CON
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Glenn

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 124, LIB: 100, BQ: 50, NDP: 33, OTH: 1

3. Popular Vote
CON: 35, LIB: 26, BQ: 10, NDP: 18, OTH: 11

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? CON
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Oaf

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 131, LIB: 96, BQ: 53, NDP: 26, OTH: 2

3. Popular Vote
CON: 36, LIB: 31, BQ: 11, NDP: 16, OTH: 6

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, Terr, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? LIB
c) Who wins Central Nova? CON
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Mum

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 135, LIB: 94, BQ: 53, NDP: 26, OTH: 0

3. Popular Vote
CON: 37, LIB: 30, BQ: 11, NDP: 16, OTH: 6

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que
NDP: Terr

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? LIB
c) Who wins Central Nova? LIB
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Dad

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 124, LIB: 111, BQ: 50, NDP: 23, OTH: 0

3. Popular Vote
CON: 35, LIB: 32, BQ: 11, NDP: 14, OTH: 8

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI
BQ: Que
NDP: Terr

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? LIB
c) Who wins Central Nova? LIB
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Steel Curtain

1. Election Result
Conservative Minority

2. Seat Tally (308 Total)
CON: 116, LIB: 110, BQ: 48, NDP: 33, OTH: 1

3. Popular Vote
CON: 32, LIB: 29, BQ: 10, NDP: 19, OTH: 10

4. Provincial Winners
Conservative: BC, Man, Alta, Sask
Liberal: Ont, NB, NS, Nfld, PEI, Terr
BQ: Que

5. Bonus Questions
a) Who wins Papineau? LIB
b) Who wins Saanich-GulfIslands? CON
c) Who wins Central Nova? GREEN
d) Who wins Vancouver-Quadra? LIB
e) Who wins Vancouver-Centre? LIB
f) Is Alberta a Tory sweep? YES

Entry 109: I Don't Understand Finance

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Date: September 24, 2008
Weight: 196 pounds

Why are the fat cat financial firms asking for a $700 Billion bailout? And why does a "free-enterprise" Republican like W. think this is a good idea? This can't be right.

Shouldn't the government let 'em all rot?

Talk of "financial armageddon" is nonsense. Companies that have made foolish decisions and didn't understand what the word "risk" meant deserve to be bankrupted. And when other companies go down with them, then they deserve it too. The CEOs who presided over the mess should be hunted down and put in prison camps. There really ought to be a law. In fact, I'm sure there is one.

I hope that the U.S. Congress has the wisdom to turn down these welfare cases and refuse this ridiculous bailout. And if this brings down the whole financial system then I say "Hallelujah!"

Entry 108: Там будут слезы!

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Date: July 10, 2008
Weight: 193 pounds
Song: The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever

Today was my last day of work for two blessed weeks. Tomorrow the Balfour trip begins at dawn. We head to Christina Lake for the first leg of the Troll/Hoser conflict. It will be a long day given that I am already tired and sleep-deprived, but I think I can handle it.

Let the battle commence.

Entry 107: Almost Balfour

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:38:00 +0000

Date: July 9, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: Pachelbel - Canon in D

The golf season has been hit and miss thus far, but mostly miss. I failed to qualify for the BC Amateur (missing by 20 odd shots, and making a fool of myself). I failed to win the SWUMP, losing to Mark on the 19th hole back on Canada Day. Man - I am still upset that I didn't go for the green on #18 instead of losing because I failed to layup properly and then couldn't two-putt. I wish I'd fallen with my boots on!

But all the miseries of the recent and distant past can be forgotten, because Balfour is upon us. We leave Friday morning and I am excited. I don't expect to play particularly well, but I really don't mind. I have achieved perfect contentment.

Entry 106: Huzzah for Gilman and Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:36:00 +0000

Date: July 8, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries

Gilman and Mrs. Gilman tied the knot on Sunday in a beautiful ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Park. I was maestro of the music and sat at the back of the hall playing the songs on the CD when cued by the commissioner. I didn't know what the songs would be so it was a treat to hear them as they came out. The above song was the Gilmans's exit music - they left in style.

I found the affair quite emotional and was moved to tears (of course I will cry at the drop of a hat). I think part of it is because as Paul is not one to use phony words and phrases (what he says, he means, more or less), so to hear the powerful professings of love and committment - well let's just say it was quite devoid of irony which is a welcome tonic for an aging hipster like me. They're off to Costa Rica so I wish them all the best.

Entry 105: Gilman's Big Day - Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:45:00 +0000

Date: July 2, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence

Star Wars is on TV right now except that it's the awful version with extra dinosaurs. I will pretend that it does not exist.

"Gilman's Big Day"

"These are truly terrible seats," said Slippers. "I can't see anything!"

"Quiet you! We'll miss the ceremony!"

So Chance and Slippers sat in the second row from the back of the church waiting for the action to begin. As they waited, the sky grew dim, and a crack of thunder sounded in the distance.

"What a beautiful couple," said the Texan. "As beautiful as a couple of ostrich eggs."

Gilman arrived at the altar to tremendous applause and began to speak.

"Ia! Ia! Praise to our Master! Cthulhu fthagn! This shall be done for you!"

"Wow - that's his best speech yet," observed Slippers. Chance nodded as they waited for the arrival of Gilman's bride to-be.

"I hope that this ceremony goes off without a hitch," said Chance, nervously eyeing the cackling villains lurking in the vestibule.

"Fools!" announced Roggles. "I have you now!"

Entry 104: Plastics

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:56:00 +0000

Date: June 25, 2008
Weight: 192 pounds
Song: Faith No More - Midlife Crisis

For some reason, people often speak of middle age as being someone in their fifties. This makes no sense. Our biblical allotment is 70 years, so 35 is halfway there (though actuarial tables suggest that a man of 40 years can expect to live for exactly 40 more).

So what should I do with this last half of my life? Keep trudging on? Prepare for something better? Work has been alright lately, but they have recently decided to transfer my work to Bangalore so I don't know what I'll be doing in 2-3 months time. This is tough because I am a creature of routine and I don't like change! The good news is that I may get a trip to India out of the deal, which would be fun (I think).

All these things to think about before my morning coffee.

Entry 103: 35 and Overweight?

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Date: June 24, 2008
Weight: 192 pounds
Song: Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

I'm getting tired of the highly directed Facebook ads that pop up when I log in. They know so much about me. Perhaps sometimes there is too much information out there.

We are now in the heart of summer, and I approve. This week sees the longest days of the year with sunset not falling until 9:20pm. We even golfed till 10:40pm one day last week, but that was crazy.

Gilman's wedding is coming up shortly. Since I'm getting a little nervous about it as just some random guest, I can only imagine how he is holding up. Is it Caves Gilman wondering where the shots are coming from, or is it magnificent Stack Gilman calmly searching and destroying every intruder. Anyways - best of luck to the future Mr. and Mrs. Gilman (and pudge)!

Entry 102: Obama Will Win In a Rout

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:59:00 +0000

Date: June 20, 2008
Weight: 191 pounds
Song: Allman Brothers - In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

The consensus until now is that the U.S. Election may be close between Obama and McCain. Strategists pore over maps wondering which states will be in play and craft master strategies for winning 50% + 1 of the electoral votes. On the Democratic side, supporters ring their hands looking at the impossibility of winning battleground states like Ohio and Florida and wonder how the inevitable red/blue electoral calculus can resolve itself favourably.

Well let me tell you now to stop worrying.

Obama is going to win in a landslide. Why? Because the economy is in the toilet (or more importantly, it is perceived to be in the toilet). This is why parties get voted out of office. It's the economy, stupid.

The fact that 10 other factors point towards the Republicans getting demolished is just a happy add-on.

I'm not sure if Obama reaches 400 electoral votes (it's about 50/50), but I guarantee he reaches 350.

Entry 101: I Don't Care About The Environment

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:42:00 +0000

Date: June 18, 2008
Weight: 192 pounds
Song: Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

There's a number of people at work who live and breathe by various environmental concerns. Carbon tax this, take the bus to work that. What do we do about Peak Oil! If they come to talk to you, it's not likely to be about your job or life but about your carbon footprint.

I used to not feel too strongly about the environment one way or the other, but dealing with all these self-righteous environmentalists have changed my tune. I just don't care. Screw this stupid planet.

Now it's not that I don't believe the environmental scare-mongering. For the most part I accept it. No, it's that I don't think the earth belongs to me in any way. It's not my planet, it's their planet, and they know it. They have the money, they have the power. I have nothing.

So I'll do my best to pay my bills and make ends meet. The planet can fend for itself.

Entry 100: All Is Well

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Date: June 17, 2008
Weight: 193 pounds
Song: Rush - Vital Signs

Life is OK. Played a scramble against BigJ at Riverway today. Huge victory. Was 6-under through 16 before an unfortunate double-water-double-bogey on #17 led to a 68.

Scramble golf is the wave of the future. One ball golf is for suckers.

Entry 99: Golfing At Night

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:41:00 +0000

Date: June 16, 2008
Weight: 193 pounds
Song: R.E.M. - Gardening at Night

I have now played golf the last eight days in a row, mostly finishing the round between 10pm and 10:30pm (it's 100% visibility). Now less than half of these scores have been under 80, and the trend line is not good. Why? I feel things sometimes coming into the focus, but then with a flash they are gone and the shots become poor (and the less said about my putting the better). Why can I not maintain myself at the adequate level that I have previously achieved.

So I need to decide whether to play golf less or maybe play even more, in a last ditch attempt to return to being decent.

Sometimes I just don't understand how something that I allegedly enjoy can cause such little joy.

Sigh. I guess I'll be out again tomorrow. Somebody should bring whiskey, and perhaps a saxophone.

Oh - congrats to Tiger. 14 majors. He is our generation's... actually there is no longer any obvious comparable.

Entry 98: A Sense of Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:12:00 +0000

Date: June 6, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: The Bee Gees - Massachusetts

Today's song is in tribute to Big Man's dad, who passed away suddenly earlier today. I remember listening to this song on Mark's DVD (or at least the first two minutes of it) while up at Balfour last year, so this is the best tribute I can come up with. I don't recall which one was Mark's favourite song on the disc, but we'll go with this one.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Entry 97: Ignorance, Dust, and Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:37:00 +0000

Date: May 27, 2008
Weight: Unknown
Song: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

I bought a DVD player for $44 today because the old one has succumbed to the omnipresent cat hair in my apartment. It seems to work OK. I am watching John Adams.

To celebrate I have also bought some beer, which I am now drinking. Today is a good day to drink and I'll confess that I have consumed too many.

I have never watched a match of UFC. It seems clear that I'm missing out on something so I think I will try to catch UFC 85 and then give a more honest assessment. Bring da ruckus!

Addendum: I'm officially in the field for this weekend's Victoria City Amateur. Time to get back to business. Fraserview tomorrow anyone?

Entry 96: Is That All There Is?

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Tue, 27 May 2008 05:59:00 +0000

Date: May 26, 2008
Weight: Unknown
Song: The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony

Entry 95: Money Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:47:00 +0000

Date: May 14, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: Beth Orton - Central Reservation

Growing up reasonably comfortably in suburban Victoria, I'll admit that I never spent too much time worrying about monetary concerns. I just assumed that one day I'd eventually have enough money and didn't really make any plan on how exactly to go about achieving this. But the plan isn't really working as I'm close to halfway done but am barely above water. Obviously my occasionally long indolent between-job layoffs are mostly to blame, but there are structural faults that I need to sort out.

The summer months with their litany of bills now find my expenses once more equalling my meagre earnings. I wonder exactly how I will ever get ahead - I'm slaving my life away at the salt mines, but to what end?

It makes me think that at the end of the day some great reward will not be coming my way.

Perhaps the solution is that I should try harder at work and get myself promoted or something. Even a modest 20% pay rise would make a world of difference in the marginal sense.

Entry 94: Welcome Mira!

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:04:00 +0000

Date: May 13, 2008
Weight: 193 pounds
Song: Portishead - Glory Box

My sister Jenny got a new cat for her birthday today. Chance, Slippers, and Maya wish Mira all the best and welcome her to the family. I look forward to seeing her when I go back to Victoria this weekend.

Entry 93: Chance and Slippers at Fraserview

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:34:00 +0000

Date: May 12, 2008
Weight: 195 pounds
Song: Porcupine Tree - Trains

The deadline to get my game in gear for the BC Amateur is fast approaching as I will be submitting the entry form next weekend when I'm back in Victoria. Now I think that my game is in pretty good shape but I don't yet have the scores to prove it. Since I don't want to miss the BCs just because I didn't get into the qualifier, I have to play, I have to play lots, and I have to play well.

I spoke about this dilemma with Pete yesterday (as I bemoaned Sunday's useless Langara 77) and Pete pointed out that I really should go play Fraserview off the Golds. There is no easier place to post good differentials because it has a high rating solely because of length and not because of especially tricky greens or hazards.

So I drove out to Fraserview after work today, calmly arriving at 5:30pm. I asked when I could get out and they apologized and said that I would have to play as a single. My eyes lit up for I could put into practice my cunning plan. I've won a number of prizes at Uplands lately, and have converted all of them into golf balls. Now I normally mark up each sleeve with variously coloured marks of "G" "GC" and "GPC", but for some reason I chose to take two balls from the last sleeve and call one "CHANCE" and one "SLIPPERS" planning to have them go head to head one day.

Now was the day. Let the battle begin.

Chance had the honour on #1, and both he and Slippers hit good tee shots. But Chance stone-chunked his second shot into the bunker and made bogey. Slippers made a solid par and was 1-up.

On #2, after they'd both hit good tee balls, Chance hit a wonderful driver from the turf onto the par-five green and he two-putted for birdie. When Slippers failed to get up and down, the match was all square.

On the par-3 3rd, Chance had a solid two-putt par, while Slippers made a great up-and-down from a short-sided position right of the green. My chipping has been very good lately. Now if I can only fix the short putting too.

On the par-5 4th, they both hit good tee shots, but Chance snapped a rescue club into the left bunker, while Slippers was hole high in the fringe. Chance hit a good bunker shot and made a two-putt par, while Slippers missed his easy up-and-down from behind the green.

Slippers missed a short birdie putt on #5, but otherwise nothing happened on #5 or #6 and they were all pars.

On the par-3 7th, Chance hit first and striped a beautiful 4-iron from 210 to only 8 feet. Slippers was a bit shell-shocked and duck-hooked into the bunker. He failed to find the green with a heavy 2nd shot and made double-bogey, losing to Chance's two-putt par.

On #8, Slippers hit a wedge to 15 feet but Chance was only 5-feet. Chance made the putt and Slippers did not. Chance leads 2-up! The lead was maintained through 9 when Chance made a great 6-foot par save. Chance shot 35 (!) and Slippers was a respectable 38.

On #10, things went amiss for Chance as I snap-hooked a 3-iron approach into the trees. As I trotted off to search for the ball I realized... this was my only "CHANCE" ball! If I lost it here I would be reduced to playing some boring "G" ball. This would compromise the whole integrity of the contest so I just couldn't give up. Fortunately I found the ball way on down the hillside and was able to take a drop. I hit a great 40-yard pitch to only 3 feet for an unlikely bogey! Slippers made a horrible chip from only 30 feet and matched Chance's bogey, letting him off the hook in a big way. Chance still led 2-up.

#11 had the same front left pin that BigJ and I saw on the day of the infamous double-hit putt that went in. Would there be a repeat today? Not for Chance - he had a solid two-putt par. But the story of Slippers was more interesting. He had exactly the same putt I faced on the fateful day - about 35 feet above the hole. Now this is normally a really fast putt but since the greens were really slow (they'd been punched last week and were still a bit rough), I wasn't sure how to play it. I didn't gauge it right and put it five-feet by - exactly where I was when I had the two-chip putt. The wind in the trees began whistling as Mechlar slowly began his approach. I gritted my teeth and tried to fight him off but I could not, lamely pushing the putt low for my first three-putt of the day (but at least I didn't double hit it). Chance leads 3-up!

On the par-5 12th, Chance decided to play smart after finding the rough and hit a safe 7-iron from 245 to about 85 yards. Slippers was in the fairway and gave the green a go from 230 - and hit it to 15 feet! Chance's safe play did not pay off after he chunked a sand wedge fully 60 feet short and was lucky to make par. Slippers hit a good eagle try but missed, and narrowed Chance's lead to 2-up.

The pin on the par-3 13th was was tucked on the right, which is a sucker pin if you're playing the golds. At about 210 yards, I decided to hit a 3-iron to the safe part of the green. Slippers had the honour for the first time since #2 and hit a weak push. "Oh no - it's in the water!" I thought... But no - it just cleared the pond and rolled up to only 1-foot! Now realizing that 3-iron was lots of club, I hit Chance's shot solidly to 20-feet but only made a par. Slippers was now only 1-down.

Chance hit another poor tee shot on #14 and had a full 3-iron in (Note: You notice that the golds are long when you hit poor tee shots.) Slippers was in close for a birdie try after a 5-iron approach, but didn't make it. Chance hit the green with the 3-iron, but was a full 80 feet on the front edge. It was a difficult two-putt and Chance did not pull it off, leaving the first putt fully 10-feet short. The match which Chance had all but won three holes before was now all square.

They both hit good second shots on #15, each about 15 feet from the hole. Slippers hit a horrible lag that never had a chance, but Chance's putt really really should have gone in. It rolled right over the edge - the injustice! But nothing was dropping all day. I blame the greens. Match was still all square.

On #16, I hit both shots on the green but not very close and was lucky to make two pars. Match still all square.

By this point it was getting quite dark, but I didn't want to join up with the guy in front of me because I wanted to finish the round playing two balls. So I found that I had to dawdle on every green hole for 3-5 minutes to avoid getting to the tee while he was still on it (he was stuck behind a foursome) while still staying comfortably ahead of the foursome behind me. They were slowly gaining on me, but fortunately they quit after #16 due to darkness - or they surely would have caught me on #17.

On the long par-4 17th, Chance hit a good one down the fairway but Slippers was stuck behind the tree on the left and had to punch-hook around it. I still had a full 200 in for Chance's shot but hit another of those horrible 4-iron hooks that are plaguing my game. I was fortunate to catch another early tree or I probably would have been in the bush searching for the "CHANCE" ball again. I safely pitched both balls to about 15 feet but made neither of them. The match was still all square.

With the match all square coming down the last, things should have been interesting. But they weren't really because on #18 it just got too dark to even see the flag (though I was still waiting on the tee, and then in the fairway, and then for the green to clear). After routine 1st and 2nd shots I had two wedges in for them both. I hit Chance's wedge to what I thought was a "white" pin but it was actually a "gold" pin and I was 40-feet short. I was a little miffed because I hit it where I meant to - but c'est la vie. Would I have made a 10-footer if I'd had it? Probably not. Slippers hit to 35-feet right of the pin (not a good shot) and also made a two-putt par and the match was halved. Both cats got their dinner.

So all in all it really wasn't too bad. "Chance" had a 74, "Slippers" had a 75 and I'm all the way down to a 3.9.

Marine Drive draws closer.

Entry 92: Tall is Tall

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:02:00 +0000

Date: May 10, 2008
Weight: 195 pounds
Song: Liz Phair - 6'1"

How tall is tall? The answer is 6'4".

But how short is short? The answer is 5'5".

So 6'0"-6'3" is "pretty tall" and 5'6"-5'9" is "pretty short".

This means that 5'10" and 5'11" can be considered "average height".

Entry 91: Protactinium

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:53:00 +0000

Date: May 8, 2008
Weight: 194 pounds
Song: Happy Mondays - Kinky Afro

I've been working on memorizing the periodic table. Just something to do.

I am not close.

Entry 90: Who Loves the Sun?

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:18:00 +0000

Date: May 5, 2008
Weight: 195 pounds
Song: Del Shannon - Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun)

My manic phase is showing no signs of fading, and I've now played 6 rounds of golf in the last 5 days. I finally saw some good results today and posted a solid 72. I was 3-down to Pete with 6 holes to go and made 3 birdies coming in to pull out a half. Now if I could only rid myself of Mechlar, I'd really be in good shape.

As for my 36-hole odyssey yesterday, I played McCleery in the morning by myself and then Langara in the afternoon with BigJ and The Boy. BigJ and Da Boy had an unofficial "un"-friendly as they prepared for their collision in Round Two. Who won you wonder? The Boy mopped the floor winning 5&4.

I am dealing with the after effects of a little too much sun yesterday and must remember to wear sunscreen next time. How refreshing it is to finally be able to say that. Huzzah for summer!

Entry 89: Time Enough For Two

noreply@blogger.com (Snowy Cat) — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:25:00 +0000

Date: May 4, 2008
Weight: 195 pounds
Song: Blind Melon - Three is a Magic Number

I've got three weeks left to get my game in shape just to be able to qualify for the BC Amateur at Marine Drive this year. The Victoria deadline for entries is May 23rd, and my 4.6 cap won't cut it, I wouldn't even be allowed in the field.

So I've got to the numbers down somehow. Since my work is unlikely to disappear any time soon, I need to get in as many weekend rounds as I can, so I'm going to go play 36 holes today.

Back-to-back 80's are not accepted. It'll be a 72 today.