Garth McQueen 10/29/2004 08:46 Sorry Mark, I have to start with the stats so Mauro can update his Terabyte DB for curling. I wonder if it is on Websphere. Works like a charm, maybe Rambo can help when he returns (although it will take him a week in an isolation tank to rid him of the smell).. Competition: Wannabees, Score 12 - 12 Ends 4-4, Lead 100% Second 100%, Third 100% and Skip 100% Now to the story: Mark it was a real back breaker (ooh, sorry for the pun, I know you are looking for empathy...ps dial 3400[HR Helpline]. When you are the champ the competition is hungry. Everyone wants a piece of greatness. Well, we didn't deny them, I can tell you that. Right off the bat, we won the toss and were faced with having the hammer, not one of our strengths last year. So for the first end of the first game for the first defending season, we took our point. It was not any old ordinary point, it was a professionally played point. Unfortunately I had to use my one and only great shot of the game in a double take out to make room for skip Bruce to take the point. Mark, I hope on your return, your first shot will be not be a great one, as it tends to be down hill from there. We all played pretty well, for the first game and the "touch" wasn't there (except for Mike who after many beerdies at PC couldn't let go of his broom) . We started of with 1, then Wannabees took 4 then we took 5 on a beauty from Skip Bruce. He called a TSN type of game (that would be one where a high level of talent is required to make his calls) and made the TSN shot to score an extra point for 5. We promptly gave up 3 then took 3 gave up 2 and then they stole 3 which left them going into the 8th leading 12-9. I guess that's why champs are champs. They don't give up and believe they can win anytime, anyway. AND then there's us, who are too dumb to know better. We played fearless in the 8th and tied the game...well done boys!!!. We could of won the game but their skip, despite his best efforts made 1/2 a shot to cut us to 3. Mark, we are way ahead of last years pace (having that nifty web app allows me to be acurate) as we lost right away in 2003. Everything looks good, sight line for D division is clear and we all await your return from your Italian Flu. You still could have come out and had the beers ready for us. Oh yes, congratulations to Mike on being BO Jackson on our team....Two Sports, One Day, Many Gatorades. Bruce Clark 10/29/2004 09:03 Mark: The pressure of leadership!!! Now I appreciate what Mike,George,Garth,Patton and Macarthur are/have been faced with day after day,time after time as they wrestle with the constant strive for perfection. Thank god I have legal issues to deal with to take my mind off the constant turmoil of keeping the team focused on the task at hand. Thanks to the team for picking me up when I most needed it.(good sweeping Mike) Nice shots Garth (I sure there was at least one) Thanks George for thinking of the split shot that enabled us to take 5.I could feel the mind meld burning into my brain. Mark,you know as well as anyone how difficult it is to soar like an eagle when you have to walk with a couple of turkeys.(you know who you are). George Jensen 10/29/2004 09:55 Mauro...there's one more statistic for your GB db. Spitters - 0 Duct Tape - 1 Mark Pioli 10/29/2004 02:07 I used this last year but I it means more now that we are defending champs Mike "to you from failing hands I pass the broom, be yours to hold it high" Sounds like a great game, I guess the new rules to open up the game have worked and scoring is up. You forgot one key play which may have cost you the game After the then Wannabees took 4 you forgot to shake hands amongst yourselves and say it was over. As far as empathy goes I have found none. My friends from curling have done nothing but ridicule HR will thank me when I get my Explanation of Benefits back Submitted $300 expensed reimbursed $0 Please send xrays and your first born if you wish to claim any Expenses Wife: you are not leaving the pool pump where you dropped it. Wife Part 2 Mark: Honey because of my sore back we will have to be a little inventive in bed Wife: thats o.k. I will just sleep on the couch To remember the late great Rodney I get no respect.....