Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Golf In A Time of War: Precautionary Steps in Making Sure the Nazi's Don't Ruin Your Day at the Course

I recently came across a set of rules established by England's Richmond Golf Club outlining what to do in case of a German bombing during game play. At first I thought it was a hoax, but after a little research on the Richmond Golf Club's official website I found it to be true.

Temporary Rules, 1940

1. Players are asked to collect Bomb and Shrapnel splinters to save these causing damage to the mowing machines.
2. In competitions, during gunfire, or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.
3. The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags placed at reasonably, but not guaranteed safe distance therefrom.
4. Shrapnel/and/or bomb splinters on the Fairways, or in Bunkers within a club’s length of a ball may be moved without penalty, and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidentally.
5. A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.
6. A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole without penalty.
7. A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke.


All in all, wise and fair regulations. Now the next time war breaks out at the local country club, we all know what to do. And as GI Joe would have us remember, knowing is half the battle.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Breakfast

Following somewhat in the footsteps of my sister-in-law and nephew, this is what I had for breakfast this morning:
As I was eating it, I thought about how Snickers are Mom's favorite candy bar and how I should call her and tell her so that she could be proud of me. But there's an inherent flaw in that logic that I'm sure most can see. Mom is my mother. She would be proud if I'd eaten oatmeal, or toast, or eggs, or even cereal. But a Snickers bar? Never. So I didn't call her. Instead, I wrote about it on my blog so she can read about it here.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Reed Mark Anderson

This past week my cousin Reed, who is one of my best friends, passed away after dealing with major health issues. The obituary in the paper was fantastic and I really can't add much to it, but I couldn't help but jot down a few of my own personal reflections of Reed.


Reed was one of my best friends. We didn't see each other all the time, but whenever we did it was as if there had been no lull in the conversation from the last time. I'm not the most social and conversational person in the world and it's not easy for me to talk to people, and there aren't a whole lot of people that I'm comfortable just sitting down with and chatting, but I could always talk to Reed. It didn't matter the situation or the setting, I could sit down with him and talk for hours. We would talk about anything and everything. Sometimes we'd sit and talk about serious issues that we were facing in our lives, sometimes we'd discuss more frivolous things like sports and girls, and sometimes we'd just sit without saying a word and laugh as we watched our little cousins running around hurting themselves and each other. One particularly vivid memory I have of Reed occurred when I'd only been home from my mission for about a week. We were sitting out in the street in Emery looking up at the millions of stars. He and I talked about my mission, about my concerns of being back in real society, about the problems he had been having in school, about the girls he liked, and, frankly, about everything we hadn't talked about for two years. It wasn't an earth-shattering conversation by any means, but it was so comforting for me to know that I had a true friend that I could talk to. Reed's ability to make people feel at ease and comfortable and loved--to feel like they had a true friend--was one of his character traits that I will always remember. There wasn't a person who didn't consider him a true friend and, despite his incessant teasing and joking, everyone knew that Reed loved them and that they could count on him in a time of need.

As I have had opportunity to witness some of the struggles Reed has gone through with his health, I've come to really look up to and admire Reed for his strength and can-do-it attitude. While I was on my mission, Uncle Mark sent me an excerpt of an essay Reed had written about an experience where he passed out during the Pre-National Regional Footlocker Race. Upon waking up, Reed pushed the medics out of the way to finish the race. In his words, "I didn't come this far to quit; I came to finish the race." That story hit me really hard. After receiving that letter there were numerous times on my mission when it seemed like nothing was going right, but I would remember that Reed didn't give up on that race so I could keep plugging along as well. Even now, when life gets difficult and I hit the proverbial wall that seems to prevent my progression in the varied facets of my life, I think of Reed and that race. That race really represents the attitude with which Reed faced life and the myriad challenges therein. Remembering it has provided me with the lift and inspiration I need to keep going despite my struggles.

Reed was a God-send to many people in this world, and I consider myself lucky to have been one close to him. The world is a much better place for having been graced with his presence. If everyone would strive to love and persevere with the intensity of Reed, the world would be a much brighter and hopeful place. I know that I would do well to better live up to the example he has left.