Over the urial in a Golf Course Men’s Room

Beauty is only a light switch away – Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham, NC

If life is a waste of time, and time is a waste of life then let’s all get wasted together and have the time of our lives. – Armand’s Pizza, Washington, DC

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity. – The Bayou, Baton Rouge, LA

No matter how good she looks, some other guy is sick and tired of putting up with her shit. – Men’s Room, Linda’s Bar & Grill, Chapel Hill, NC

At the feast of ego everyone leaves hungry – Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tee, Tucson, AZ

It’s hard to make a comeback when you haven’t been anywhere – Written in the dust on the back of a bus Wickenburg, AZ

Make love, not war hell, do both GET MARRIED! – Women’s restroom The Filling Station, Bozeman, MT

If voting could really change things, it would be illegal. – Revolution Books New York, NY

If pro is the opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress? Congress! – Men’s restroom House of Representatives Washington, DC

Express Lane: Five beers or less – Sign over one of the urinals Ed Debevic’s, Phoenix, AZ

You’re too good for him – Sign over the mirror in Women’s restroom Ed Debevic’s, Beverly Hills, CA

No wonder you always go home alone. – Sign over mirror in Men’s restroom Ed Debevic’s, Beverly Hills, CA

And perhaps the most realistic one

A Woman’s Rule of Thumb: If it has tires or testicles, you’re going to have trouble with it. Women’s restroom Dick’s Last Resort, Dallas, TX

Note this is a repost of my impressions from our one trip to the Masters, but thought it appropriate for today – the final day of the Masters tournament.

Walking through the gates of Augusta National Golf Club, and by the way your badge is scanned, one first sees the practice area and range on the left. Perfectly green mowed grass and the really white sand in the practice bunkers. Having attended both US Opens and PGA Championships as I walked on to Augusta I was struck by the palpable difference between those major championships and The Masters. For starters you are struck by the absence of any corporate, or any other kind for that matter, tents. All you see is golf course and the buildings necessary to host an event of this magnitude, and those are painted a dark green to make them as unobtrusive as possible, the clubhouse and a few other tasteful white buildings.

At other major championships, or regular tour events for that matter, the photographers are inside the ropes and particularly as the leaders or high profile players reach a point they swarm around the green and make it nearly impossible for the fans waiting there to see anything. Not at the Masters – the photographers are outside the ropes. The only ones inside the ropes are the players, caddies, a few rules officials and sometimes a TV cameraman out in the fairway. Another difference, and in this case something I missed, there are no sign bearers with each group detailing that group’s players standing vs. par.

Those of you that have been to any Disney facility know that they are noted for their regimented line standing. Well, I know where they got the idea, it was at the Masters! One might argue the other way around but the Masters has been around longer than Disney. Standing in line is necessary for most everything, the concession stands, the restrooms, the merchandise building and it is regimented. In many cases there will be someone standing with a sign letting you know how much time is left from that point. In the men’s restrooms, I did not do any research in the women’s, there are people directing traffic along and as you reach the top of the line. Also, and this is a mind blower, after each use of one of the regular toilettes someone actually cleans and disinfects the seat!

Television cannot convey the majesty, scale or conditioning of the Augusta Golf Course. On television one does not get any sense for the elevation changes on the course and they are substantial. I walked up the hill to the ninth green a couple of times and had no wonder why Craig Stadler and some others took it slowly. Similarly, there is a large, hundreds of yards across, open area in the middle of the course. Of course, that area is as perfectly maintained as the rest of the grounds. As one looks at the fairways it appears as if no one has ever played golf there, it is that perfect. Augusta is known for its lack of rough and for all practical purposes there is none – what would be called rough is about one-half inch longer than the tight fairways.

Food at Augusta is cheap! The famed Pimento Cheese sandwich, I had one – it is a must – is $1.50. Sodas are $1.50, beer is $3.00, $4.00 if you want imported, a chicken wrap is $3.00 and snacks are $1.00. The items in the merchandise building tend to make up for it but after all it is the Masters at Augusta!

Enough about the plumbing. How about the experience? I think that CBS uses a line something like “The Masters a place like no other” and that is an apt description. And they intend to keep it that way. CBS is I think it’s 40th something one year contract to televise the tournament – no multi-year contracts here – its our way or the highway. We can all remember Gary McCord. It has been said that Augusta marches to it’s own drummer and that is what makes this place and event so special. No big electronic scoreboards here – they do it the old fashioned way with people on tall ladders and plastic numbers that change constantly. It is difficult in words to explain how special this place is and how one feels that while on the grounds but hopefully I have provided at least a glimpse.

The outside world however is a mess. The course is in the middle of Augusta and the traffic is terrible. We were staying less than a mile from the entrance but as we left the course the only way the police would let us go sent us on a journey that was something over ten miles – that’s right over ten miles to accomplish a less than one mile trip. And you are going to walk. Parking as one might expect is hard to find and not generally close to your destination. For those of you from Minnesota who have attended the State Fair will be familiar with people renting out their front yards for parking. If you are planning to attend the Masters and have not done so be advised to secure lodging NOW and expect to pay through the nose no matter what level of accommodations you can find. We talked with people who were staying in Columbia South Carolina – over 73 miles away and that was the best they could do.

As we watch Professional Golf Tournaments on television we hear the announcers talk about slow play but until you actually see it in action it can be hard to comprehend. With TV we are almost always watching action as they move between holes. However, when you are on one hole watching the players come through – we were set-up at the ninth green and am here to tell you these guys are SLOW! Try two and one-half hours to two hours forty minutes to cover the front nine. I guess four hours for 18 holes is not so bad.

Would I go again? In a heartbeat. Even with the traffic snarls, overpriced accommodations and other hassles the Masters is truly a place like no other.

When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.

To me, “drink responsibly” means don’t spill it

When I say, “The other day,” I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

Interviewer: “So, tell me about yourself.” Me: “I’d rather not. I kinda want this job.”

Cop: “Please step out of the car.” Me: “I’m too drunk. You get in.”

I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.

I had my patience tested. I’m negative.

Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid the doesn’t fit any of your containers.

If you’re sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, “Did you bring the money?”

When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say “nothing,” it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing.

Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9:00 is new midnight.

I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever.

I run like the winded.

I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don’t know whose side I’m on.

When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, “Why, what did you hear?”

I don’t remember much from last night, but the fact that I needed sunglasses to open the fridge this morning tells me it was awesome.

When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on aluminum can stuffed with celery?

I don’t mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

When I ask for directions, please don’t use words like “east.”

It’s the start of a brand-new day, and I’m off like a herd of turtles.

Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.

That moment when you walk into a spider web suddenly turns you into a karate master.

Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life outta nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.

The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

My luck; a bald guy who just won a comb.

Lesson 1 :

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg…  The nun said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’  The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’ The priest apologized ‘Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.’ Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, ‘Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.’

Moral of the story: 
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 2 :
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, ‘I’ll give each of you just one wish.’  ‘Me first! Me first!’ says the admin clerk.. ‘I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.’ Poof! She’s gone. ‘Me next! Me next!’ says the sales rep. ‘I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas, and the love of my life.’ Poof! He’s gone. ‘OK, you’re up,’ the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, ‘I want those two back in the office after lunch.’

Moral of the story: 
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 3
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.  A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, ‘Can I also sit like you and do nothing?’ The eagle answered: ‘Sure, why not.’  So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: 
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 4
A turkey was chatting with a bull. ‘I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree’ sighed the turkey, ‘but I haven’t got the energy.’ ‘Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?’ replied the bull. It’s full of nutrients.’ The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story: 
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there…

Lesson 5 
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Moral of the story:

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. (2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. (3) And when you’re in deep shit, it’s best to keep your mouth shut! 

THUS ENDS THE 5-MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE.
Send this to five bright people who have enough sense of humor to take it!

An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Rimini, Italy, went to the local church for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said: “Father, during World War II, a beautiful Jewish woman from our neighborhood knocked urgently on my door and asked me to hide her from the Nazis. So I hid her in my attic.”

The priest replied: “That was a wonderful thing you did, and you have no need to confess that.”

“There is more to tell, Father. She started to repay me with sexual favors. This happened several times a week, and sometimes twice on Sundays.”

The priest said, “That was a long time ago and by doing what you did, you placed the two of you in great danger, but two people under those circumstances can easily succumb to the weakness of the flesh. However, if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven.”

“Thank you, Father. That’s a great load off my mind. I do have one more question.”

“And what is that?” asked the priest.

“Should I tell her the war is over?”

A Russian soldier ran up to a nun. Out of breath he asked, “Please, may I hide under your skirt, I’ll explain later.”

 The nun agreed. A moment later two military police ran up and asked, “Sister, have you seen a soldier?”

The nun replied, “He went that way.”

After the military police ran off, the soldier crawled out from under her skirt and said, “I can’t thank you enough Sister. You see, I don’t want to go to Ukraine.” 

The nun said, “I understand completely.” The soldier added, “I hope I’m not rude, but you have a great pair of legs!”

The nun replied, “If you had looked a little higher, you would’ve seen a great pair of balls. I don’t want to go to Ukraine either.