WHITE RIVER DISC GOLF COURSE

Troy's Work Table bookended the Memorial Day weekend with rounds of disc golf at White River in Auburn.


My ninth disc golf disc—a Disc Golf Association Powerdrive Gumbputt putt & approach disc. Opaque yellow, 164 grams.

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On Friday, TWT played a shabby 73 from the red tee pads (on a par 54 course). Ugh!

Hole 1 - 4
Hole 2 - 5
Hole 3 - 3
Hole 4 - 6
Hole 5 - 4
Hole 6 - 5
Hole 7 - 5
Hole 8 - 3
Hole 9 - 4
Front nine - 39 (+12)

Hole 10 - 3
Hole 11 - 3
Hole 12 - 3
Hole 13 - 6
Hole 14 - 3
Hole 15 - 3
Hole 16 - 5
Hole 17 - 4
Hole 18 - 4
Back nine - 34 (+7)

Total - 73 (+19)

I had trouble with trees again. I also didn't play as strong as I normally do on some of my favorite holes.

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It was nice to be able to take the Gumbputt into round play and see what it can do. It's rubber-like plastic and flexibility meant that when it hit something, then it immediately flopped to the ground. This worked well on holes where my putter tends to roll away. It did not work well where it would brush a branch. It would grab onto the branch or leaf and head straight for terra firma. However, I now have a better idea of how it plays and when to play it.

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My tenth disc golf disc—a Latitude 64º Sinus SP putt & approach disc. Opaque yellow with silver foil stamp, 173 grams.

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Tonight, TWT played a not-so-hot 37 from the red tee pads of the back nine holes (on a par 27). Sigh...

Hole 10 - 3
Hole 11 - 3
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 5
Hole 14 - 3
Hole 15 - 4
Hole 16 - 5
Hole 17 - 4
Hole 18 - 6
Back nine - 37 (+10)

I actually don't feel too bad about this half round. I know what I did wrong on the three holes that I had trouble (13, 16, and 18). Each of them involved trees or shrubbery and trying to recover. I used good problem solving skills to get back onto the course and headed toward the basket. Hole 13 meant recovering from two consecutive tree shots and then approaching and putting the basket like I should have. Hole 16 meant recovering form a bad second shot and shooting through bushes I had avoided (for the first time ever) on my tee shot. Hole 18 meant recovering from two consecutive tree shots and then throwing a nice thumber over bushes, which allowed for an almost perfect long putt, where I hit the pole. The Sinus rolled away after hitting the pole, which meant another medium putt, whereupon I hit the top of the basket and bounced away, but you "get the picture."

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It is all part of the process of truly learning the game.

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The Sinus SP has taken the primary putter slot in my bag. I have been practicing at home on my portable basket with it, which means that I am now starting to become comfortable with it. I like the feel of it in my hand better than my other putters, due to its groove along the side and its thin thumb pads on top—both of which allow for a better grip and greater confidence when I throw it.

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For my first "in the field" handling of the Sinus, I would have to say that it performed magnificently. I just need to practice with it some more until I am completely at ease when I throw it.

on THE TAPHANDLE

Tripel Belgian Style Ale, an Abbey Tripel by Redhook Brewery

22 ounce bottle, served in snifter, $3.41 per pint.

The color was a brilliant orange with a thin ring of white head. Very light streams of carbonation tickled the side of the snifter. There was no lacing to speak of.

The nose is of fruits, primarily pear and wine. There is also a hint of spices, vanilla, white pepper, and a faint whiff of yeast.

This tripel starts with a sweet fruitiness that begins to mellow as it fades toward a dry finish. Along the way, I could detect light flavors of leathery yeast, spices (cloves?), citrus, caramel, honey, and vanilla. Alcohol also makes an appearance here and there, although not as strong as I would expect in an ale boasting a 10.2% alcohol by volume.

A light rum alcohol flavor starts to creep in as the ale warms, which was pleasant and not at all overpowering.

This ale is complex and good. It is not the best tripel or tripel-style ale I have had, but it was very well done.

This was paired with homemade barbecued pork ribs that were grilled over charcoals and slathered in Jack Daniel's No. 7 Original Barbecue Sauce, corn on the cob dressed in butter and Johnny's Seasoning, and a green salad. The entire meal worked very well together.

This ale made for a nice reward at the end of preparing dinner for the family.

MR. MARIO'S SECRET CIRCUS

The child and I headed to King's Books on Saturday for the second to last installment of Mr. Mario's Secret Circus for this season.


(1) Boxes of many tricks—instruments on the left, juggling and magic items on the right.


(2) Hilda Gabby Girl with her rendition of "Hansel and Gretel."


(3) Makeup.


(4) Mr. Mario applies makeup and tells the kids about the history of pantomime.


(5) Pantomime meets magic trick.


(6) Mr. Mario and an audience member play a "juggling game" with wooden blocks.

IN TAHOMA'S SHADOW

Poet Tim Sherry reads his poem "At The Supermarket" to a packed house at King's Books, Tacoma

There are parts of your brain that are best nurtured and nuzzled by the written word. There are other parts so affected by the spoken word. Then there is the Venn diagram that comprises their overlap. Thursday night's reading of poems from In Tahoma's Shadow: Poems from the City of Destiny at King's Books worked all three areas—the two circles of influence and their shared common area.

I have never been to a reading where those reading their own work were so consistently strong. Oftentimes, there is a reason that the person reading is a writer—they have a great command of the language when it is on paper, but don't do so well when they open their mouth. That was definitely not the case at this reading. It was a group of strong writers who also happen to be strong readers.

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Each poet read one or two of their poems that were included in the anthology. The evening progressed as follows:

Tammy Robacker
"Once Around Wright Park"

Leah Coakely
"Maps, A Statement Against"
"Rainy Season"

Beverly Conner
"Single White Female 19 Years Old"

Terry Conner
"Adult Onset Asthma"

Brian Desmond
"The Scattering"

Sonya Hunt
"Commencement Bay"

Michelle Jones
"Psychic School"

Kali Kucera
"My Green Girls"

Lynn Martin
"April's Blue Doors"

Brendan McBreen
"Spiders" (not included in the collection)
"Will the Maker of All Things Step Forward"

Kevin Miller
"Misplaced"

Kay Mullen
"Man Flipping Sourdough Pancakes"
"Accordion Boy"

Carl Palmer
"Spout About the Roundabouts"

Morgan Perry
"Slice"
"Ten" (not included in the collection)

Mike Robinson
"On 509"
"Baby Dragons"

Beth Richardson
"Flags"

Emilie Rommel Shimkus
"Gulfport, Before the Mission Workers Arrive"

Erin Sanchez
"Ours"
"Demand"

Tim Sherry
"Dream Ballers" (not included in the collection)
"At the Supermarket"

Brittany E. Short
"Everyone Has a Poem About the Sea"
"Chrysalis"

Jessica Uhler
"Poem"
"Under the Skin"

William Kupinse
"Point Defiance"

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Even though each poet read well, some of them really stood out for me or took me to places that I didn't expect to go.

Beverly Conner's poem was so powerful and meditative in the face of death—her daughter's, and, by implication, that of each of us—that I was stunned. If I had been speaking, I would have been struck dumb.

Bryan Desmond was the strongest performer of the evening, in my opinion. He recited his poem, keeping eye contact with the audience. His reading was intense and sublime. His words and his gaze penetrated into deep places.

I can't quite explain what moved me about Michelle Jones's poem. I think it was the relationship with her mother, captured in all of its complexity in only a few lines. Here was joy and sorrow and a tinge of craziness, all perfectly measured and mixed.

Kali Kucera's reading voice was what I imagine comedian Dennis Miller would sound like reading poems. I loved the cadence of his delivery.

Brendan McBreen's two pieces were filled with humor that masked truths that we would rather not name aloud. But he did, and it worked well.

Carl Palmer's poem about roundabouts pushed the comfortableness of repetition to the breaking point without being too much. And his humor played perfectly against the seriousness of those he satirically skewered.

Emily Rommel Shimkus brought her roles of "actress and vocalist" to the stage. Her reading was invigorating and forceful. I could have listened to her read for quite some time.

Erin Sanchez read well. She also recited her second poem, "Demand," with a fervor that bordered on being a wee bit scary. I couldn't quite believe that she could recite her poem with that much passion, at the pace that she did, and not falter somewhere. (But then I have never personally liked to memorize verse, my own or others. That is partly because I am not very good at remembering the lines.)

I really liked Tim Sherry's reading, although this is another that I find difficult to explain why. I think it was because he didn't strike me as the kind of guy who would read, let alone write, poetry. (I realize this is completely unfair to him, as well as others who I would "stereotype" as not "being" poetry people.) Regardless, he had a wonderful presence that put me at ease and really made me believe in what he laid out before me.

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I now greatly look forward to reading the rest of the poems in the anthology.

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A second reading of poems from the anthology, with a different group of poets, takes place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday 28 May 2009 in the Olympic Room of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch.

KING'S BOOKS HELPS YOUR POCKETBOOK

The following arrived in my inbox.

KING'S BOOKS

Recession-Busting SALE!
30% Off Everything in Store
May 21-24

(That's Thursday through Sunday.)

Come down for this special Memorial Day Weekend Sale. 30% off everything in store. Does not include Special Orders or Gift Certificates.

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More information about King's Books can be found on their website.

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King's Books shows you some love. Show some back. Support your independent bookstore.

THE HUB

Yesterday, the wife, the child, and I made our way to Point Defiance Park to hang out with what felt like half of Tacoma. We happened upon a parking spot and then walked around in the sun and warmth of the afternoon. We played Frisbee, watched the Rhododendron ferry make its run between Point Defiance and Tahlequah, walked down to the waterfront, threw rocks into Puget Sound, played on the "big toys," wandered through the Rose Gardens, and hiked around.

Afterward, we headed to The Hub, sister restaurant to The Harmon, for food and refreshment.


Chili-Chocolate Ale, a Spice/Herb/Vegetable Ale by Harmon Brewery & Restaurant

16 ounces on tap at The Hub, served in shaker glass.

This was my "warm up" pint prior to the meal. It was a beautiful and brilliant light brown fading into ruby red. There was no head, no lacing, and no detectable carbonation.

The aroma was of chocolate, vanilla, pepper, and spices.

The flavor began with an intense earthiness that would best be described as what the smell of a field of young and tender stinging nettles after a brisk spring rain has just ended would taste like. This slowly morphed into chocolate and a light smokiness. A chipotle heat slowly crept in as the finish lingered.

I realized that I could "change" the flavor depending upon how much beer I imbibed with each drink. Sips meant more stinging nettles. Full mouthfuls meant more chocolate, more smoke, and more heat. I opted for the latter.

This was an interesting ale that I would definitely try again, if it was paired with the right food.


Point Defiance IPA, an India Pale Ale by Harmon Brewery & Restaurant

16 ounces on tap at The Hub, served in shaker glass.

This pint greeted me with an orange and amber body, a finger width of fine white head, and some lively carbonation. It left a fair amount of lacing behind.

The nose was floral and orange zest. There may have even been a few spicy notes.

The palate was lively. The main citrus flavor of this particular IPA tended more toward the orange side of things, with a slight tartness and a hint of tangerine. There also seemed to be quite a bit of pineapple in its flavor profile. I tend to like IPAs that are more grapefruit-influenced, but this was very good for one that was orange-influenced.

This was also a great ale to accompany my hamburger.

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I ordered The Hub's Cinelli Burger. It was a 1/2 pound beef patty dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, pepperjack cheese, and chipotle mayo, all of which was held between two buns and piled high with pepperoncini. It was spicy, but not too spicy. And the IPA cut some of the heat that was present to make for a meal that was excellent.

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Then it was back into the gorgeous spring weather of the Pacific Northwest for more wandering.

PARALLEL UNIVERSE PUYALLUP RIVERWALK TRAIL

Is there a parallel universe Puyallup Riverwalk Trail? If so, it may look something like the images below.

I walked back from Sumner along East Main Avenue, taking pictures of things that caught my eye. Some of these things I notice every time I drive along East Main


(1) The transition between worlds—Mt. Rainier/Tahoma.


(2) Virtual Police.


(3) I love the graphic layout of the front sign for Kibbey's Battery Service. I used to believe that the sign contained a misspelling of "batteries." Now, however, I am not so sure. "Batterys" may stand for BATTERY Service. It's unlikely but probable. (Still, let me have my small dream.)


(4) "Swim now... Pee later..." 'Nuff said.


(5) A field of dandelions gone to seed and waiting for a good swift wind.


(6) Another field of weeds, this one filled with yellow flowers that I am unable to identify.


(7) A stretch Hummer parked at Daffodil Bowl.


(8) Stacked concrete pipes behind chain link fencing.


(9) A 1947 Ford.

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Even though there were plenty of things to fascinate and tantalize in this parallel universe, it was fraught with a greater portion of danger than our universe's version of the Riverwalk. This was mostly due to sidewalks that simply ended to be continued on the opposite shoulder of five lanes of speeding traffic with no crosswalks for approximately a mile of roadway.

Our universe's Riverwalk allows for the safety of travel on foot, with the added bonus of a perceived, if momentary, escape from the world of commerce, advertising, and automobiles.

Their universe's Riverwalk allows for a Chocolate Mousse Royale ice cream cone from Baskin & Robbins to be enjoyed on the way back home.

WINNER: parallel universe Riverwalk by a slim margin.

PUYALLUP RIVERWALK TRAIL

Troy's Work Table walked the Phase III of the Puyallup Riverwalk Trail yesterday evening, making a round trip from Puyallup to Sumner. This section of the trail is wooded and verdant. The Puyallup River is just to the east of the trail and can be heard more often than it can be seen, even though it is mere feet away.

The occasional anomaly will change the scenery, such as (1) the decorative painting of the parks department warning walkers and cyclists of warped asphalt due to the January 2009 flooding or (2) the marshy ponds and grassy meadows of adjacent wetlands. But what if there were a parallel universe Puyallup Riverwalk Trail?

MR. MARIO'S SECRET CIRCUS

Saturday morning was another episode of improvisation, shenanigans, and borderline mayhem as Mr. Mario's Secret Circus performed at King's Books in Tacoma.


(1) Mr. Mario balanced various items on his chin—a music stand, a chair, a juggling pin, a juggling pin with a cup of hot coffee balanced upon it. He also juggled pins, balls, and scarves as he pantomimed.


(2) Dancers from Studio 6 Ballroom performed a swing number as well as the tango.


(3) Kids from the audience competed against one another in a hula hoop contest. Some of them were very good. The winner kept four hula hoops going for an extended amount of time and won a gift certificate to King's Books.


(4) Mr. Mario "toots his own horn" along with help from audience members on claves, maracas, and duck call.

Then it was off to enjoy the sun and warm weather of the beautiful Pacific Northwest...

NAD DISC GOLF COURSE

The child and I headed over to Bremerton this morning to meet the brother at NAD Disc Golf Course for a round of eighteen holes. TWT had presented the brother his own DX Stingray golf disc for his birthday, and was now ensuring that it was properly broken in.


(1) The brother throws his disc toward the "putting green" basket. It is the small oval in the upper middle of the picture. The brother nailed his first throw of the day—a sixty-foot putt—whereupon TWT knew he was going to have some competition.


(2) The brother prepares to throw his drive on hole #4.


(3) TWT returns to the the tee pad of hole #9 after locating its basket. Miraculously, neither TWT nor the brother hit any of the pictured trees. (Photograph taken by the brother.)


(4) Troy's Work Table roars after sinking an uphill putt from behind trees on hole #17, posing with the disc that did the job—The Upshot. (Photograph taken by the brother.)

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NAD Disc Golf Course is an 18 hole, par 54 course (par 3 on each hole). TWT scored a 72; the brother a 79. That was pretty good for a couple of newbies. This is the second time that TWT had played NAD and the first time for the brother (and only the third time the brother had played disc golf).

After the brother figured out what worked best for him when throwing the disc, he started to play a completely different game. In fact, he beat TWT by one throw on the back nine.

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Troy's Work Table

Hole 1 - 3
Hole 2 - 4
Hole 3 - 4
Hole 4 - 4
Hole 5 - 5
Hole 6 - 3
Hole 7 - 4
Hole 8 - 5
Hole 9 - 4
Front nine - 36

Hole 10 - 5
Hole 11 - 3
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 3
Hole 14 - 5
Hole 15 - 5
Hole 16 - 4
Hole 17 - 4
Hole 18 - 3
Back nine - 36

Total - 72

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The brother

Hole 1 - 5
Hole 2 - 6
Hole 3 - 3
Hole 4 - 5
Hole 5 - 6
Hole 6 - 4
Hole 7 - 5
Hole 8 - 6
Hole 9 - 4
Front nine - 44

Hole 10 - 5
Hole 11 - 4
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 3
Hole 14 - 5
Hole 15 - 5
Hole 16 - 3
Hole 17 - 3
Hole 18 - 3
Back nine - 35

Total - 79

HOT DOGS DREAMS

Lucky's Hot Dog Diner of Puyallup always treats the child and I right. They serve us the best hot dogs around and they seem happy to see us when we arrive.


THE CHIHUAHUA (Coney Island). A skinless 100% beef hot dog rests on a poppy seed bun and is smothered in mustard, chili, onions, and cheese. A fork is recommended for eating this wonderful chili dog.

I love chili and I love hot dogs, so why shouldn't they be allowed to marry?


BIG AL'S (Chicago Style). This is my favorite Lucky's hot dog. It is a 100% beef hot dog with natural casing. It resides in a poppy seed bun and is accompanied by yellow mustard, tomato wedges, pickle spear, chopped onion, neon green relish, sports peppers, and celery salt.

This is what I imagine the banquet table of heaven is filled with. I could eat one of these every day.


EFRUTTI HOT DOG (Gummi Candy). Not so surprisingly, this is the favorite of the child. The gummi hot dog can be removed from the gummi bun and eaten alone. Or, they can be eaten together in tiny bites that are savored, which is the child's preferred method. If the child eats all of the Pug hot dog, then the owner gives the child a candy hot dog as a treat.

I wonder why I never get one? (I always eat all of my hot dog.)

WHITE RIVER DISC GOLF COURSE

My eighth disc golf disc—a Discraft Buzzz ESP mid-range disc. Opaque yellow with blue foil stamp, 164 grams.

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This is one of the highest rated mid-range golf discs of experienced players. Therefore, I decided I needed to see what made it so highly favored.

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I played a 70 from the White River red tee pads (on a par 54 course).

Hole 1 - 3
Hole 2 - 4
Hole 3 - 4
Hole 4 - 5
Hole 5 - 6
Hole 6 - 4
Hole 7 - 5
Hole 8 - 3
Hole 9 - 3
Front nine - 37

Hole 10 - 5
Hole 11 - 4
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 3
Hole 14 - 2
Hole 15 - 3
Hole 16 - 5
Hole 17 - 3
Hole 18 - 4
Back nine - 33

Total - 70

I scored my first deuce ever. Rather than play a driver on hole #14, I decided to play my Buzzz. I landed about 50 feet from the basket. I grabbed my (Lightning) Upshot driver and it sailed right into the middle of the chains and stayed. I took me a few seconds to actually register that I just made a long putt into the basket.

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It was good that I scored that two to counter the six I had on hole #5. The trees were in my head again. On holes 3, 4, and 5, I hit trees on each tee shot. I also started the back nine by hitting trees on my first and second shots on hole #10. Aargh!

I had some tree love on hole #17, however, when my approach shot caught a branch. The disc rolled down the length of the branch and shot out to fall within a few feet of the basket. It just happened to be my Buzzz.

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I also happened to have a perfectly thrown thumber shot on hole #16. I threw my (Ching) Velocity over a screen of trees, it curled and flipped on its top, and fell within excellent putting range of the basket. I screwed up the putt, but that's my fault.

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All in all, my Buzzz was a great disc to play with. It feels much different in my hand than my other preferred mid-range disc, my (Innova) Champion Panther. The Panther is slightly smaller in the hand. So it took me some time to adjust. But once I did, the Buzzz played brilliantly.

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The long putt on hole #14. The Buzzz is on the ground next to my bag. This is where I threw from. The basket is in the upper middle of the picture, "framed" by two trees. Deuce!

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Buzzz hiding in the "rough" of the fairway on hole #18. I still have a lot of work figuring out how this disc plays, but I am certain that it will hold a strong position in my bag for quite some time.

IN TAHOMA'S SHADOW

"Communication and community derive from a common root that means sharing. This anthology grew from the conviction that poetry builds connections among individuals and that connected individuals are better able to shape their shared destiny."
—from the "Introduction" by William Kupinse and Tammy Robacker, as found in In Tahoma's Shadow: Poems from the City of Destiny edited by William Kupinse and Tammy Robacker

I picked up a copy of In Tahoma's Shadow at King's Books on Saturday. It contains one or two poems from 77 Tacoma area poets, fifteen of whom will read their poems at King's Books on Thursday 21 May 2009.

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From the King's Books website:
"Poets reading at the event include: Leah Coakley, Beverly Conner, Terry Conner, Sonya Hunt, Michelle Jones, Brendan McBreen, Kay Mullen, Hans Ostrom, Carl Palmer, Morgan Perry, Beth Richardson, Erin Sanchez, Tim Sherry, Brittany E. Short, and Jessica Uhler."

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Having read work from both William Kupinse and Tammy Robacker, as well as having heard both of them read their poetry aloud at Showcase Tacoma 2008, I was excited to see the poets and poems they selected for this first book from new press Exquisite Disarray Publishing. I was also excited to see that each of them had a poem included that highlighted a particular Tacoma locale (Kupinse's "Point Defiance" and Robacker's "Once Around Wright Park").

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The collection is varied, for which I am grateful. Many voices are represented. There are short poems and longer poems. Rhymed verse and prose poems. Poems that are as tight as a drum and poems that threaten to spiral out due to their own centrifugal force.

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Within these pages are words and phrases waiting to be heard, savored, relished:
*knarred—page 121, "Everyone Has a Poem about the Sea" by Brittany E. Short
*seersucker—page 135, "The Agronomist" by Josie Emmons Turner
*precocious—page 65, "April's Blue Doors" by Lynn Martin
*bandito-narrated—page 33, "Postcard to Miller from Ashland" by Casey Fuller
*Marlboro—page 33, from the same
*baton of wrath—page 11, "Blood in the River" by David Blackwell
*honeybee fervor—page 71, "Soup" by Camella McMillin

...and hundreds more...

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The News Tribune did a story on Tacoma's poetry scene on Sunday 10 May 2009. Entitled "Poetry: The art of words is alive in fair Tacoma," the story covers the release of In Tahoma's Shadow, new Tacoma poet laureate Antonio Edwards (2009-2010), readings by Puget Sound Poetry Connection, and the literary arts entertainment of Puyallup's A River & Sound Review. It was excellent coverage and exposure of the lively and varied poetry scene of Tacoma and the rest of South Puget Sound.

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The poets of Tacoma have sculpted words to be seen and heard. Now you need to look and listen.

TACOMA & PUYALLUP DAY

Today was a day of books, art, and beer (and wanderings) spent in Tacoma and Puyallup. It was definitely a Troy's Work Table kind of day. Highlights included:

TACOMA
*Experiencing (and participating in) another episode of Mr. Mario's Secret Circus.
*Poking around in King's Books.
*Purchasing a copy of In Tahoma's Shadow edited by William Kupinse and Tammy Robacker.
*Picnicking on the Thea Foss waterfront.
*Viewing Fluent Steps by Martin Blank at the Museum of Glass Reflecting Pool.
*Wandering around the stairs and ramps of the Museum District.
*Visiting and viewing the exhibits at the Tacoma Art Museum.

PUYALLUP
*Mowing the lawn. (Believe it or not, I actually find this relaxing and meditative.)
*Enjoying a Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery while mowing the lawn.
*Grilling New York steaks on the barbecue over a hot bed of charcoal briquettes.
*Eating the same steaks, accompanied by another Mirror Pond.
*Throwing disc golf discs along the Riverwalk Trail.
*Reading poems from In Tahoma's Shadow.
*Reading poems from the May issue of Poetry magazine.

WHITE RIVER DISC GOLF COURSE

My seventh disc golf disc—an Innova Champion Valkyrie distance driver disc. Translucent yellow, 150 grams.

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This is my most utilized driver. It is also my lightest disc. I find this disc is absolutely perfect for hyzer throws; it has helped me on many dogleg left holes.

Now that I have played a few rounds with it and spent quite a bit of time practicing throwing it for distance, I think I am finally beginning to understand the flight characteristics of this disc.

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Practice makes perfect. And I have been practicing...

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The child and I headed out to White River today for a morning round of disc golf. I played a 69 from the red tee pads (on a par 54 course).

Hole 1 - 3
Hole 2 - 4
Hole 3 - 5
Hole 4 - 4
Hole 5 - 5
Hole 6 - 4
Hole 7 - 4
Hole 8 - 3
Hole 9 - 3
Front nine - 35

Hole 10 - 4
Hole 11 - 3
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 4
Hole 14 - 3
Hole 15 - 4
Hole 16 - 4
Hole 17 - 4
Hole 18 - 4
Back nine - 34

Total - 69

I really let the trees get into my head at the beginning of the round. I had a couple of sweet anhyzer tee shots on holes 1 and 2. But then I started hitting trees. On hole 3, I hit trees on my first two shots and landed my disc behind a huge nurse log on my third shot. I also hit trees on holes 4 and 5.

That is when I realized how much of a mental game disc golf is. Once the trees "had" me, it was difficult to play around them. It wasn't until hole 9, when I threw a great drive that hyzered around and through a copse of trees that I started to see through my mental haze and regain some confidence.

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It has also helped that I have played White River's red course enough to start to know which discs to use on a particular hole. This has helped me to better understand how each disc works, when to use each one, and each disc's strengths and weaknesses.

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I may finally have enough practice (and courage) to play the longer blue course.

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My Champion Valkyrie has definitely helped my game, as I have learned to throw it farther and more accurately. I believe it will have a long life as a permanent member of my disc bag.

POETRY

Troy's Work Table is reading the May 2009 issue of Poetry. It includes collections of poems from Ilya Kaminsky, Inger Christentsen, and Hanoch Levin.

A TALE OF TWO PORTERS

Lazy Boy Porter, a Porter by Lazy Boy Brewing

16 ounces on tap at Fritz European Fry House, served in Stella Artois chalice.

Lazy Boy Porter arrives black with a thick tan head. The head hangs around for quite some time. It leaves behind a thick wall of lacing as it is consumed.

The nose is dark roasted malts with a slight fruit edge. The tongue is a dark chocolate roast with a subtle smokiness that continues to linger on the long finish. The palate is firm and fair to the entire mouth.

This is a very good and solid porter. I would definitely drink this again.

It is accompanied by a basket of fried chicken strips and Belgian fries, as well as another small cone of fries. Dipping sauces include my two favorites—Spicy Curry Ketchup and Sweet Chili—as well as the slightly less spicy Honey Dijon.

*

I sit at the counter and enjoy my ale and my food, while I engage the child in conversation and look at the vinyl record art of Manticore Stencil Art adorning the main wall.

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Dave's Homebrew Porter, a Porter by Dave

Approximately 4.5 ounces served in Styrofoam cup.

Dave's Homebrew Porter is enjoyed in the company of Dave and a bunch of men who are also enjoying it. It made its trip in a two-liter A&W Rootbeer bottle that had been wrapped with "cold therapy" gel packs.

Its initial pour is a nice dark brown, almost black, with a thin tan head.

The aroma is of dark chocolate, coffee, and tree bark. The tongue is the same, with slightly more emphasis on tree bark and chocolate.

It becomes even more intriguing as it warms and it wears some additional flavors. I taste some sort of dark fruit—dates or prunes or raisins. I also encounter the slightest hint of a spice that I can't quite place.

This is nicely done and I hope to be able to enjoy it again.

*

I know that some of the enjoyment of this ale is the atmosphere in which I am present. The setting adds an element of "getting caught," as though I were in high school again. The Styrofoam cup and the A&W bottle add an element of mystique. I wish I could have more, but I will take this 4.5 ounces of porter goodness over any of the macrobrews that are also making rounds, which I do not participate in! Why ruin a good thing?

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