Well, here we are. Officially at the 6 month mark. 2009 figures to be a very important year for The Memorial and the future. We have some slots to fill because of an untimely wedding and because of the reluctance of a certain thunderous competitor to commit to making the cross-country flight. - Filling out an appropriate roster of worthy competitors who will give their all
- Finding a new cabin site. Penn Scenic View was a perfect backdrop. However, their constant criticism and unjust fines of our usage of the Red Oak Chalet. Plus Dave Cobb's influence runs deep with this group and that spitefulness has permeated my psyche from living with Jigs for 4 years now.
- Consideration of a few rule changes and event alterations (more to come below)
Lots of decisions and not that much time. So, if anybody has any suggestions, ideas or nominations, please feel free to post them and we can discuss this in an open forum. Anybody who will be in Greensburg over Thanksgiving or Christmas will be welcome to contribute to a roundtable discussion (that may or may not take place as we say we'll have it every year but never wind up doing it). __________________________________________________________________
I'd also like to take this opportunity to recognize 2-time defending champion Kevin Bowler. His efforts and commitment to The Memorial have not gone unnoticed - as he has taken home quite a bit of hardware. But now, Bowler has a title to go with his trophies. During the summer months, myself and The Beekeeper decided to bestow a great honor upon Ol' Mr. 300: he has been named Master of Ceremonies for Friday night. He will be responsible for planning the drinking festivities for the pre-competition drinking. Early indications include beer pong and flip cup. But I'm sure Bowler has a lot of good ideas bouncing around that brain of his.
Keep in mind that Bowler was a write-in competitor that was given the opportunity to shine. Once he got that opportunity, he has run (and chugged) with it EXTREMELY well. Do not hold any preconceived notions that so-called "GBG/Pgh Outsiders" are a bad thing. We are keeping a completely open mind for 2009 and will consider anybody. Bowler is perfect evidence of what could happen if you give a young, impressionable lad - with the thirst to learn, lead and excel - a chance. ________________________________________________________________
Below are a number of rule changes that I think is worthy of at least some consideration and debate:
- Addition of a solo chugging event. An individual Beer Beer Chug that is not team oriented. It would provide a team the ability to double up on points and showcase their chugging abilities - much like the Shuttle Run, Log/Tire Toss and Eliminator do for speed/strength events
- Incorporate some drinking in the Tug-O-War event. Because the event is so grueling and can run long, we were thinking that it might benefit us to keep morale up and spirits high with some added drinking. I have an idea of how to do this, but am open to other ideas obviously
- Eliminate the Egg Toss? Is this event necessary? It just seems like a useless event to me that wastes time. But I know a lot of yinz like it a lot. I'm just throwing it out there that we could eliminate it.
- Move from a 4-Beer Beer Chug to a Six-Beer Beer Chug for the final event?
Any other ideas for an improved 2009? ______________________________________________________________
All in all 2009 is a big, big year for The Memorial. I'd like to think that we are all getting very good and have learned what it takes to be a strong competitor. Think about your friends. Consider them for each event and try to decide who would be best. We absolutely must try to avoid any potential disaster invites as it really does ruin a lot of stuff.
Let's hear some suggestions. And for all of you veterans who are counting down the days until Peezy reaches into that sweet cup, I have a message for yinz:
See you at Thanksgiving! Planning begins...
5 comments:
Leave it to Legs to keep the excitement and motivational levels high throughout the doldrums of winter!
The big thing about the Friday night festivities that I was thinking was to make it some sort of competition with your partner from the year before. I figure it will give us a chance to reminisce and catch up before we move on to that all important moment of getting our new teammate.
As I was thinking along the lines a Beer Olympics (what else??) some of the events could be: beer pong, flip cup, chug offs, trike races, snapa (dice with cups on the corner of the table...), etc.
In general I think our goal should be to be damn near drunk by the time we find out our teams so we can see some shenanigans when the teams are announced and a whole lot of Rick-like enthusiasm!!
First off, let me say well done Legs. Excellent post. It's about time we start looking forward to 2009.
As we all know from Greensburgs' own Schezuan Garden that 2008 was the year of the Rat. That is the only logical explanation I have been able to come up with to explain the anomaly of Crapsfields second place finish. But with a new year comes new life for The Memorial. 2009 is known as the year of the Ox. And although I am not a Chinese philosopher, I think it is fairly obvious this represents Big SweaTy's return to the competition. And you can bet your balls I would love to be Paul Bunyon and Sweaty be my Blue Ox!
On to some of the possible changes Legsy mentioned for the coming year:
Although I am not opposed to the addition of a solo chugging event, I would rather see the incorporation of more team relay events. These are the ones that bring teams together and I enjoy most. The more individual events we have may take away from the spirit of our beloved team competition.
The tug-o-war. This is a real bear of an event. Maybe the event wouldn't drag as much if it were moved up in the rotation and done earlier in the day. We all really drain ourselves after this one and it may benefit us to do it before lunch so we all have ample time to recover and refuel for our second half push towards the cup.
The egg toss. I don't think we should get rid of it, but it should somehow be organized and more streamlined. I'm not sure how to do this. Maybe Crudsfield has some suggestions considering he is our resident egg toss aficionado.
On to the final event. I feel strongly against making it a six beer event. I think it is completely unnecessary and will prove nothing. We are all capable of putting them down, but why add insult to injury? The final two beers of the day make most people pay already.
Another thing we may want to consider is sabotaging Emys wedding in order to keep Justin Credible and that miserable gray bastard we affectionately call Popsfield.
Here's to another great year and Ricks rise to glory!
-RTWBD
Not losing that number since 1984!
2006 "Year of the Dog", Rattsfield finishes 2nd. (Dogfaced Rick finishes 3rd)
2007 "Year of the Pig" Rattsfield finishes 2nd. (Pignosed Rick finishes 4th)
2008 "Year of the Rat" Rattsfield finishes 2nd. (Rattail Rick finishes 5th)
See a pattern?
Let me start by saying well done Legs! You are a wordsmith and a motivator!
I'd also like to give a big street shout out to Rattsfield for being such a whiz on photoshop.
And congrats to Bowler who we all now know is a "young, impressionable lad - with the thirst to learn, lead and excel".
As for the competition, I think the grounds of the new campsite are gonna have more say than anything else. We have no idea where we're going or what we're getting ourselves into. This matter is in Bluebeards hands.
I like the idea of a solo chugging event, but I really like the idea of adding another relay race. What kills the vibe up there is 45 minute events like the TOW that wear people out and bring guys like Cadillac, who are struggling to begin with, face to face with the grass. The 6 beer beer chug at the end would be amazing if we have a close competition, but the guys with no shot arent gonna have too much motivation. That said, I am all for it.
Chug, Run, Throw,
The Beekeeper
Great Americans,
Legs, you’re a leader and a motivator, well done. I’m already getting fired up. I’m happy to say that my second tour as a Gladiator in the Global War on Terror is being postponed for about a year, which means you can bet your balls I’ll be competing on that hill this Memorial Day!!!
That said here are some of my thoughts:
First, obviously, I’m a huge fan of the Tug of War. I literally almost died during the event last year and its still my favorite one. Based off of that I can see no possible way how adding chugging will help. If you guys keep a Tug of War it needs to stay a Tug of War. A Chug and Tug simply won’t allow 100% effort to be put forth. I say leave it alone, or figure out some way to shorten the event.
6-Beer-Beer-Chug. I don’t care what events you guys put in front of me, I’m gonna keep slamming beers until the event is won. The way I see it, 1 more beer is 1 to 2 more times you’re gonna puke that day, so F it. You add it and I’ll drink it.
Finally, I have someone I’d like to put in for consideration to be invited to this years Memorial. Guys an animal. Craig, Rick, and Ratt all know him well. I’d put my reputation on the line in that he would give nothing less than 100% all day long and in every event. He’s a mountain of a man and one enthusiastic SOB. I’ll put together a packet and forward it to whoever’s making the decision.
Ratt, you’re a disappointment.
King
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