Is This the End?

It sure feels like the end.  The Emperor of Nihon-Ja really does feel like the end of John Flanagan's great Ranger's Apprentice Series.  This is the 10th book in the series, and it ended in a way that makes me think it's the last novel in the series.  Wikipedia says there will be 12 books, but book 11 is called The Lost Stories, and sounds like it will be a collection of short stories about the characters.  I'm sure that is going to be a fine book, but it's not the same as a full fledged novel.

I really hope there will be 2 more books because I love this series.  Have you ever read a series that just makes you feel good about the world?  For me, this is the Ranger's Apprentice series.  Harry Potter was more epic and Percy Jackson was more action packed, but Ranger's Apprentice has it's own special place in my pantheon of books.  Sure, sometimes it's a bit corny, and other times it's a bit sappy, but I like a little bit of that.  Overall, these books have all been really well written and have a positive message about friendship and doing what's right, often at great personal sacrifice.

In The Emperor of Nihon-Ja we find that Horace has gone missing.  As the reader, we know where he is and what is going on, but his friends don't know anything other than he's in the far away country of Nihon-Ja.  With that knowledge, Will, Halt, Alyss, Evanlyn, Selethan and the crew of a Skandian Wolfship set off to find him.  When the do finally find their friend, they end up smack in the middle of a civil war, and have to help defend the Emperor from those who would usurp his power out of fear over the fact that he wants to change the class system that has dominated Nihon-Ja's past.  Can Will and his friends save the day and all of Nihon-Ja in the process?  Well, you have to read to find out.

Overall, just a great book.  One of my favorites in the series.  With 10 books, it's hard to pick a favorite.  But, with 10 books, you also really know the characters, and I think I've come to care more about them with each successive book.  I look forward to any additional books John Flanagan decides to write in this series.

Match Play Madness!

A few weeks ago, I signed up for the Match Play Tournament at my golf club.  Match Play is one of the craziest forms of golf.  Each hole is essentially worth 1 point.  If one players wins a hole, he is considered 1 UP.  If the opposing player wins the next hole, the match is considered All Square.  The goal is to be at least 1 UP at the end of 18...and yes, you can win in less than 18 holes.

Match Play can be extremely volatile, with wild swings in momentum, as you'll see in a minute.  I haven't played much Match Play in my 25 years of golfing...in fact, it had been 15 years since I've played a match.  So, when I signed up as 1 of the 64 players, I didn't know for sure what to expect.  I was hoping to win a match or 2, but honestly, I had no real expectations.

Yesterday, I played my first round match.  I had to give my opponent 4 shots, meaning he got a stroke on the top 4 handicap holes...if you don't understand that, it's ok.  Basically, we played heads up on 14 holes, and on 4 holes, he got a 1 shot advantage. 

Anyway, to the match.  I wasn't too nervous, but then I gacked the first hole to go 1 DOWN, but managed to win the 2nd hole to get back to all square.  After halving the 3rd hole, my opponent made a ridiculously good birdie at #4, so I'm 1 DOWN again.  We halved 5 and 6, with my opponent pulling off a Seve Ballesteros like par save at #6.  I lost hole 7, then 3-putted 8 and dorked up 9 to end the front 9, 3 DOWN. 

At the turn, I basically gave up.  I decided that there was very little chance I could win, unless I managed to play crazy good and got a little help.  My opponent had a great front 9, beating me straight up, by 1 shot.  So, I went to the #10 tee pretty relaxed (note that my course is a 9 hole course, so #10 is also #1, but we play from farther back the 2nd time around).

The 2nd nine started great for me, with a birdie and the match was back to 2 DOWN.  Hole 11 is a 220 yard par 3, and I striped my tee shot to 8 feet...I missed the birdie putt, but the par got me back to 1 DOWN.  Another par at 12 and now I'm All Square.  On the 13th hole, I hit a great drive and my opponent put his tee shot in the water. After his drop, my opponent hit his 3rd shot to 4 feet for what looked like a par.  I hit my approach to 10 feet and made the birdie putt...all of the sudden I'm 1 UP.  We traded wins at holes 14-16, so we were All Square going to 17.  My opponent struggled with 17 and 18, and I managed 2 pars to win the match 2 UP.  I shot even par over the last 9 holes...which is pretty good for me.  I played crazy good and got a little help.

Overall, we only halved 4 holes the entire match.  Luckily for me, I got some momentum the 2nd 9 and carried it to the win.  Most importantly though, I had a great time.  The gentlemen I played against is a great guy, so it was fun to get to meet him as well.  I don't play real competition very often on the golf course, so this was fun.  I'm really excited for round 2.  I still don't have any expectations, but I am thrilled that I get to play another match.