Bay Hill

Another weekend. Another journey to an alternate universe.  This time to the Arnold Palmer Invitational version of the PGA Tour. This trip was not as far as the trip to the races - either geographically (the Bay Hill Golf Course is about an hour away, near Universal) or mentally. I have actually played golf!
The "trip" was the difference between golf played at the professional level and my level - definitely duffer. I guess when you're playing for real money it makes a difference in how you approach the game.
A couple obvious comparisons between NHRA and PGA.
Volume - the PGA is at the extreme opposite end of the noise spectrum. No need for the ear protectors here.We spent most of our bleacher time at the first tee box, watching the leaders tee off. Each golf pair was assigned a pair of honorable observers, whose names I had to strain to hear, as announcers spoke without benefit of microphones or sound systems.  Attendants are stationed liberally throughout the course - raising their arms and paddle with each golfers' stroke - alerting the onlookers to hush. Violators were on the receiving end of a threatening gaze. I had to wonder, if the talking persisted, would they actually have used their paddle? Spectators best keep their eyes open and their mouths shuts.
Pace - Speed is the goal at NHRA; accuracy in PGA. On the excitement-adrenalin scale, golf--1; racing--10.
Economic impact - Golf, being a bit more subtle sport, the economic impact was a little more difficult for me to see. Obviously, the real estate surrounding the course is pricey, despite losing value in the recession. Being the people-watcher that I am I took in more information about the economic impact by assessing the attire of the crowd. Definitely more upscale than NRHA. Plenty of Izod, L.L.Bean, and Ralph Lauren. Golf's reputation as a wealthy man's sport may be well-deserved. Certainly, serious golfers need to be prepared for a significant cash outlay for club memberships, green fees, and a decent set of clubs.
Our tickets were complementary so I don't know the impact of the gate. I understand that ticket sales were consideraby less than when Tiger Woods appears in the tournament. (Another matter. Enough ink has been spilled over him; I'll pass on that conversation.)  According to the 2005 Golf Economy Report, the golf economy was valued at $76 billion, and generated a total of $195 billion in indirect and induced impacts, such as hospitality and tourism. Revenues from golf facilities actually outpaced such popular sports as baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. No wonder the industry is worried about Tiger taking an extended leave of absence.
Professional golf may not be the most exciting spectator sport, but it's hard to beat spending a 72-degree day on a beautifully manicured course, enjoying free food, and getting an up-close look at a pro's game.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope - Seeing God's Wit and Wisdom in a Whole New Light
by Patsy Clairmont

Kaleidoscope is a collection of writings on verses from Proverbs written by Patsy Clairmont, who many women know from Women of Faith conferences. With her characteristic wit and side-splitting humor, Clairmont tackles the subjects you would expect a book on Proverbs to cover: truth, wisdom, diligence, fear, and, of course, the Proverbs 31 woman.
Clairmont likens Proverbs to a “four-mirrored kaleidoscope that gives a parade of images.” Within the tumbling, seemingly unorganized array of proverbs, she finds beauty, truth, and practical insights for daily living. With a combination of often humorous anecdotes and personal reflection, Clairmont sheds new light on familiar proverbs. Reading Patsy Clairmont is almost like listening to her at Women of Faith because Patsy writes just like she speaks - with levity and grace. While Clairmont keeps it light, she is always authentic. Never more so than when she shares her own struggles with debilitating fear and her faltering journey to healing and wholeness.
Kaleidoscope reads like a conversation with a good friend.Kaleidoscope covers 32 proverbs in an easy-to-read, devotional format, perfect for a personal quiet time, small-group study, or when you’re asked to give a devotional. I give Kaleidoscope two thumbs up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Day at the Races

This weekend I entered an alternate universe. Or at least, one previously completely unknown to me - the NHRA. My brother introduced me to the world of drag racing at the opening event of the National Hot Rod Association's racing season, the Gatornationals at Gainesville. My previous racing experience was limited to Figure 8 racing, in which junkyard cars are resuscitated enough to navigate a figure 8 track without a race-ending collision. I’m certainly no expert, or enthusiastic race fan after one afternoon at the races, but I do offer a few observations – because I know Duey is expecting it.

Popularity – With almost no knowledge of drag racing, my first surprise was the level of interest in the sport. (I use sport in the broad sense of recreation or diversion.) What would normally be a 2 ½ - hour trip from Orlando to Gainesville actually took closer to 4 hours, with the last 10-12 miles taking 1 ½ hours. Clearly, the Gainesville grounds are not laid out to accommodate the number of fans this event attracts. The parking area - acres and acres - was packed with vehicles, my first clue that this sport has a sizeable following. At an event where speed rules, I found it rather ironic that the fastest way for us to get from our parking spot in the farthest reaches of the parking area to the stands was via rickshaw. Enterprising young men pedaled fans across rain-soaked roads to within walking distance of the stands. Surely, their tips must cover next semester’s tuition, or at least, the price of their books.

Economic impact – The rickshaw ride through the parking lot provided my first glimpse into the economic impact of drag racing and all it entails. Row after row of high-priced RVs belonging to fans and support teams sent cash register bells ringing in my mind. And we hadn’t even made it to the pits with the high-priced rigs and the race cars. I don’t have a clue what it must cost to actually put a car on the track, what with the equipment and personnel, but clearly, it’s not chump change. It’s hard to find evidence of a recession here. Putting it in the larger perspective of entertainment dollars and professional athletes' multi-million dollar contracts, I guess it falls below the median. Yet, for someone who keeps a fairly frugal entertainment budget, the economic impact was startling.

Speed - Drag racing is all about speed – whether it’s a top fuel, funny car, pro stock car or motorcycle, the goal is to traverse the quarter-mile track faster than your competitor. Oh, I do understand, now, that there is considerable strategy involved, as well as driving skill and plenty of horses under the hood. And I appreciate the fact that the impetus that created the NHRA was to move drag racing off the streets and into safer venues. Moving dragsters, racing at 100 mph, off the streets and onto a track designed for such speeds was definitely a good thing. I’m just having a hard time getting my mind around the concept of the competitive drive required to get behind the wheel of a vehicle with the potential to do 325 mph. I guess it appeals to the same drive/instinct as an athlete – and that would explain why I have a difficult time even getting to the fitness center regularly – I simply don’t have enough competitive blood in me to “get in this race.” I’d like to suggest it’s a guy thing, but NHRA boasts a number of female drivers, some who are doing quite well.

Though I couldn’t see myself getting behind the wheel, I must admit to at least being wowed by the speed on the track, the drivers’ skill, and the supportive atmosphere in the crowd. If Duey’s willing to keep answering racing 101 questions, I’d consider another trip to the track.