Well, the City Chase is over and we performed a lot better than last year. With over 450 teams competing, team WIBI LOUD placed 135; about 2:35 later than the first place finishers. Not too bad considering last year we didn't get a chance to complete all the tasks. Communication between my brother and us turned out to be a lot better this year. He was able to download the City Chase clues and while we were competing in events planned out the best route to run. He was easily our eyes and ears of the race. He even made sure that we completed tasks that needed to be completed and that we skip those that were unnecessary. He was a lifesaveer as we stared up a 26-storey climb. Thanks to him, there were points during the race where we had completed 7 tasks and others had only 4. I think we had saved our energy well and used it when we needed to. We made a couple of errors but stumbled upon items that helped us finish; running around China Town looking for a cat on a red post for an hour helped us bump into a person that donated us our remaining item on our "Scavanger Hunt".
Speaking about bumping into people, I didn't get a chance to see anyone that I recognized but I got a chance to meet many new racers. Whether it be chatting with them on the subway, cheering them on as they completed a task, sharing strategies and last year's experiences, or teaming up with them just to get through a chase point, it was fantastic interacting with all the different teams. Like most races, the City Chase is designed to be one that is not about the finish line, but of the journey that you embark.
Let me put it this way, Google Talk is pretty good. I'm still trying to figure out a few things, but it seems pretty cool. It just started today and I'm finding it a neat little tool. I'm even intrigued about buying a headset to use the VoIP feature. The best part... it's free. Anyway, visit google.com/talk
This has to be one of the most horrible things that I have heard about. Moreover, this story applies to a friend of mine. I was never one for details because I usually misinterpret facts but here is the story that I have paraphrased from a friend. 
Alright, I know. I've heard it many times before. "It's a poor craftsman that blames his tools". But I'd like to think that it's pretty cool to have new tools. Especially when they make you a better "craftsman". If golf were my workbench, then this new driver would be my 19.2V cordless drill. Just this past weekend, I decided to try out my newest weapon in my golf arsenal at a driving range. Let me put it to you this way; after hitting a few balls, I wouldn't want to bet against myself in match play. At least, that's what I felt when using my new driver. It's always a nice feeling when your ball starts hitting the back fences and people around you stop and stare at your very own "long ball". With a little work, I can control that fade I have on that club. When I was looking for a driver, I found a stiff shaft would give me a fade. With a regular shaft, I found myself severely hooking my shots and losing distance. Most of the store reps said that with my high handicap, I would only need a regular. It seems not listening to them has paid off; at least at the driving range. Next up, taking the big stick to a course; preferably one that accomodates my power fade.
I'll be at "Day & Night Restaurant" in Scarborough @9pm once again. It should be a lot of fun. There was a good turn out last time and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow night. It will be a little trio with Glen Narona on keyboard, Kenny DeLaSantos on vocals and yours truly on Double Bass. To those who might need directions, Day & Night Restaurant can be found one block west of Brimley Rd on Steeles Ave. I hope to see you there.
