I spoke with several old friends today. Not old in the age sense! Just good friends that I’ve known as friends for a long time.
Some of these are very close and I see them frequently. Others aren’t quite as close, and maybe I don’t see them quite so frequently, but they’re still dear old friends.
There’s a particular comfort in spending time with old friends that is hard to describe and yet, hopefully, quite familiar to us all. You can say what you think and what you feel. You don’t worry about any form of judgment whatsoever. You can laugh about old shared jokes and experiences, and freely make up new jokes and experiences on the fly. Old friends are comfortable, like a well worn pair of jeans or shoes that you just don’t ever want to part with.
Each of these old-friend encounters was business related. An update. A consultation. A gut check. A second opinion. A very honest second opinion.
Old friends are trusted.
I also got to spend some precious time, late in the day, with a new friend. It was a wonderful juxtaposition. This young individual impressed me to no end. I suspect, in fact I believe that this new friendship will grow substantially for the rest of our lives. And someday, when I speak or write of old friends, this young individual will be top of mind.
For all old friends were once new friends, young friends.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." –Anais Nin, 20th century writer and diarist
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Audit
It’s been a long day. And there’s still lots to do.
We’re in the middle of our first audit. I’ve spent a large part of the evening assembling files, papers, etc. Everything is well organized, so it didn’t take as long as it could have.
However, I’m sure through this audit process I’ll learn that certain items could be filed differently. There will be small changes to my systems to make the next audit easier.
We continue discussions with various leasing companies regarding our equipment needs. All signs suggest that we’re getting close to an agreement. Our suppliers have been very helpful, providing all of the information required by the leasing companies.
We closed our pool over the weekend. My boys have grown substantially over the summer – must have been all the rain and sun – and thus have become far more capable with various tasks around the house. It was nice working with them to close the pool. We also visited a local golf practice area and worked on their games.
I’ve been doing a lot of driving lately; visiting shareholders to have them sign a document. That occupied most of this morning. Only three more signatures to go now! Unfortunately, two of those shareholders are several hours away. Not sure when I’ll make that trek. Perhaps Canada Post will be faster and easier.
Well, back at it. Just one more task for tonight, and then a walk to clear my head. Early start tomorrow.
We’re in the middle of our first audit. I’ve spent a large part of the evening assembling files, papers, etc. Everything is well organized, so it didn’t take as long as it could have.
However, I’m sure through this audit process I’ll learn that certain items could be filed differently. There will be small changes to my systems to make the next audit easier.
We continue discussions with various leasing companies regarding our equipment needs. All signs suggest that we’re getting close to an agreement. Our suppliers have been very helpful, providing all of the information required by the leasing companies.
We closed our pool over the weekend. My boys have grown substantially over the summer – must have been all the rain and sun – and thus have become far more capable with various tasks around the house. It was nice working with them to close the pool. We also visited a local golf practice area and worked on their games.
I’ve been doing a lot of driving lately; visiting shareholders to have them sign a document. That occupied most of this morning. Only three more signatures to go now! Unfortunately, two of those shareholders are several hours away. Not sure when I’ll make that trek. Perhaps Canada Post will be faster and easier.
Well, back at it. Just one more task for tonight, and then a walk to clear my head. Early start tomorrow.
Monday, September 10, 2007
My First 5K
I ran in my first 5 km road race over the weekend. I’d never experienced such an event, so it was all new to me.
I had a fantastic time! Everything about the entire day was just perfect, from start to finish. And the start was very early! I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The event was really well organized and I thoroughly enjoyed the run. I can’t wait to do it again!
The rest of the weekend was spent in the office, working away. Lots to do, as always.
We’re now well into a provincial election campaign here in Ontario. I tend to follow current events fairly closely, but must admit that I get tired of reading the daily litany of promises and pledges that fills the newspaper each day during a campaign. I am hoping to do better during this campaign, and ensure my vote is suitably informed.
I wonder if the politicians will enjoy their race as much as I enjoyed the 5K. For their sake, I hope so.
I had a fantastic time! Everything about the entire day was just perfect, from start to finish. And the start was very early! I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The event was really well organized and I thoroughly enjoyed the run. I can’t wait to do it again!
The rest of the weekend was spent in the office, working away. Lots to do, as always.
We’re now well into a provincial election campaign here in Ontario. I tend to follow current events fairly closely, but must admit that I get tired of reading the daily litany of promises and pledges that fills the newspaper each day during a campaign. I am hoping to do better during this campaign, and ensure my vote is suitably informed.
I wonder if the politicians will enjoy their race as much as I enjoyed the 5K. For their sake, I hope so.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Unbelievable Math Problem
A friend sent the following “unbelievable math problem” via email the other day. It was one of those emails that have been traveling around the Internet for many years.
I decided that I’d try to decode the mysteries of this trick and, in doing so, perhaps refresh some of my early high school algebra. Since my sons will soon enter high school and may want some math help from yours truly, it seemed like a fun and perhaps helpful exercise.
Here’s the email:
Here is a math trick so unbelievable that it will stump you. Personally I would like to know who came up with this and why that person is not running the country.
1. Grab a calculator. (you won't be able to do this one in your head)
2. Key in the first three digits of your phone number (NOT the Area code)
3. Multiply by 80
4. Add 1
5. Multiply by 250
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number
7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
8. Subtract 250
9. Divide number by 2
Do you recognize the answer?
The answer is, of course, your seven digit phone number. Here’s an example, using the number 765-4321 for illustration purposes.
The first three digits are 765.
765 x 80 = 61,200
Add 1 to get 61,201
61201 x 250 = 15,300,250
Add the last four digits, or 4321, to get 15,304,571
Add the last four digits, or 4321, again to get 15,308,892
Subtract 250 to yield 15,308,642
Divide by 2 and we’re back to 7,654,321, or 765-4321
Very cool!
So, how does it work?
Well, clearly there are two variables: the first three digits of the phone number and the last four digits of the phone number. I called these “X” and “Y” respectively. The entire phone number I called “Z”.
Quickly you can see that the formula for z is:
Z = (X x 10,000) + Y
Why 10,000? Well, because we have to move the first three digits, or X, over to the left by four spaces/digits. We then add the last four digits, or Y.
So, in our example:
Z = (765 x 10,000) + 4,321 … which equals … 7,650,000 + 4,321 … which equals … 7,654,321 or 765-4321
Thus, our formula works. Indeed, Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.
My next step was to translate the directions in the email into an expression. Here it is:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) + Y + Y - 250) / 2
Now all I had to do was adjust or simplify the above expression, as presented in the email, to Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.
I started by applying the division-by-2 to all elements within the braces.
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y/2 + Y/2 - 250/2
This can be quickly simplified to:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + (Y+ Y)/2 - 125
And further simplified to:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y - 125
Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the division-by-2 to the 250.
Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 250/2) + Y - 125
Which further simplifies to:
Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 125) + Y - 125
Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the multiply-by-125 to the two elements.
Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + (1 x 125)) + Y - 125
Which simplifies to:
Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + 125) + Y - 125
And further simplifies to:
Z = (X x 80 x 125) + 125 + Y - 125
And further simplifies to:
Z = (X x 10,000) + Y
Which of course, is what we were after. Now, if only I had a better recall of integrals, matrices and the other joys of high school algebra.
I decided that I’d try to decode the mysteries of this trick and, in doing so, perhaps refresh some of my early high school algebra. Since my sons will soon enter high school and may want some math help from yours truly, it seemed like a fun and perhaps helpful exercise.
Here’s the email:
Here is a math trick so unbelievable that it will stump you. Personally I would like to know who came up with this and why that person is not running the country.
1. Grab a calculator. (you won't be able to do this one in your head)
2. Key in the first three digits of your phone number (NOT the Area code)
3. Multiply by 80
4. Add 1
5. Multiply by 250
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number
7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
8. Subtract 250
9. Divide number by 2
Do you recognize the answer?
The answer is, of course, your seven digit phone number. Here’s an example, using the number 765-4321 for illustration purposes.
The first three digits are 765.
765 x 80 = 61,200
Add 1 to get 61,201
61201 x 250 = 15,300,250
Add the last four digits, or 4321, to get 15,304,571
Add the last four digits, or 4321, again to get 15,308,892
Subtract 250 to yield 15,308,642
Divide by 2 and we’re back to 7,654,321, or 765-4321
Very cool!
So, how does it work?
Well, clearly there are two variables: the first three digits of the phone number and the last four digits of the phone number. I called these “X” and “Y” respectively. The entire phone number I called “Z”.
Quickly you can see that the formula for z is:
Z = (X x 10,000) + Y
Why 10,000? Well, because we have to move the first three digits, or X, over to the left by four spaces/digits. We then add the last four digits, or Y.
So, in our example:
Z = (765 x 10,000) + 4,321 … which equals … 7,650,000 + 4,321 … which equals … 7,654,321 or 765-4321
Thus, our formula works. Indeed, Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.
My next step was to translate the directions in the email into an expression. Here it is:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) + Y + Y - 250) / 2
Now all I had to do was adjust or simplify the above expression, as presented in the email, to Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.
I started by applying the division-by-2 to all elements within the braces.
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y/2 + Y/2 - 250/2
This can be quickly simplified to:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + (Y+ Y)/2 - 125
And further simplified to:
Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y - 125
Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the division-by-2 to the 250.
Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 250/2) + Y - 125
Which further simplifies to:
Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 125) + Y - 125
Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the multiply-by-125 to the two elements.
Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + (1 x 125)) + Y - 125
Which simplifies to:
Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + 125) + Y - 125
And further simplifies to:
Z = (X x 80 x 125) + 125 + Y - 125
And further simplifies to:
Z = (X x 10,000) + Y
Which of course, is what we were after. Now, if only I had a better recall of integrals, matrices and the other joys of high school algebra.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Memphis Newsletter
I read the Monthly Member Newsletter from Parmasters Memphis this morning. It won’t be long before we at Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo are publishing something similar.
It was good to see that Parmasters Memphis is making great progress. It wasn’t all that long ago that I attended their grand opening. And now, in this September Newsletter, they’ve initiated their first member survey, gathering feedback in the interests of improving constantly.
They’ve also just hired a Manager of Member Support and a Manager of Marketing. I’m sure these new team members are already bringing a wealth of energy to the most amazing indoor golf training center in Memphis, in the United States, and yes, in the world!
I was also impressed to read that the Kaizen Korner (aka pro shop) at Parmasters Memphis is now carrying the Argon Putter Training System. The Argon hails from beautiful New Hamburg, Ontario. I blogged about it recently here.
The team at Parmasters Memphis, lead by owners Mike Allen and Mario Bertagna, have been leading the charge within the Parmasters system. They opened the first center and that’s a massive understatement. The center they built is second to none! The videos you see on the Parmasters website come from Memphis. They’ve done a great job, and a great service to the Parmasters system, and all future Parmasters members and clients.
It was good to see that Parmasters Memphis is making great progress. It wasn’t all that long ago that I attended their grand opening. And now, in this September Newsletter, they’ve initiated their first member survey, gathering feedback in the interests of improving constantly.
They’ve also just hired a Manager of Member Support and a Manager of Marketing. I’m sure these new team members are already bringing a wealth of energy to the most amazing indoor golf training center in Memphis, in the United States, and yes, in the world!
I was also impressed to read that the Kaizen Korner (aka pro shop) at Parmasters Memphis is now carrying the Argon Putter Training System. The Argon hails from beautiful New Hamburg, Ontario. I blogged about it recently here.
The team at Parmasters Memphis, lead by owners Mike Allen and Mario Bertagna, have been leading the charge within the Parmasters system. They opened the first center and that’s a massive understatement. The center they built is second to none! The videos you see on the Parmasters website come from Memphis. They’ve done a great job, and a great service to the Parmasters system, and all future Parmasters members and clients.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
A System for Golf Instruction
“Golfers' handicaps remain stagnant, despite improvements in equipment, course conditions and advances in the science of the swing. According to the National Golf Foundation data from 2005, the average handicap index for men has remained about 15 and for women about 23 for decades.” (From The perfect swing is all in my head, by Lorne Rubenstein, 31 August 2007, Globe and Mail.)
Rubenstein goes on to lament that two great teachers recently gave him diametrically opposite advice. “[Renowned golf instructor David] Leadbetter examined my swing a few years ago and said, ‘With the shape of your swing, I wouldn't try to do anything but fade the ball.’ Not long after that, I joined Chuck Cook for a game. Cook, the late Payne Stewart's swing coach, said nothing about my swing until we reached the 14th hole at the National, Canada's ultimate examination of one's game. … ‘You know, I've been watching the shape of your swing,’ Cook said, ‘and if I were you, I wouldn't try to do anything but hook the ball.’”
You can find the entire article here.
I blogged in June about an Ontario Golf magazine article by Ted McIntyre in which he argued that the average handicap index was being inflated by more challenging courses, the influx of new golfers, etc.
At Parmasters, we guarantee results.
- If you have an established handicap, we guarantee 25% off that handicap, and
- If you’re a golfer without an established handicap we guarantee 25% off your handicap equivalent.
- Even if you’re a new golfer, we guarantee twenty strokes off your score!!
This is one of the many reasons why I’m so excited and happy to be the local Parmasters franchise owner!
When you come to Parmasters KW to learn, whether you are starting from scratch, or trying to improve on scratch, you will never here conflicting advice from our coaches. We have a system for teaching. And we use that teaching system to teach you a system for hitting the ball straight. So when you leave, yes, you will have a system that will allow you to consistently hit the ball straight.
Our Chief Pro and Co-founder, Scott Hazledine, has been teaching Straight-line Golf™ for more than a dozen years. He’s always offered a 40% reduction in handicap, or your money back. No one has ever asked for their money back!
You can find some testimonials here.
Will the rapid growth of Parmasters and the rapid adoption of Straight-line Golf lead to a reduction in the overall average handicap index? Will Lorne Rubenstein write an article in ten years to that effect? I’m not sure. McIntyre may be correct; perhaps the average handicap index is a jaded metric.
But, on an individual level, will we at Parmasters KW improve the golf games of our students? Absolutely, by at least 25%, guaranteed!
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