Itchy Boots on YouTube
GoT with my son. One more season to go. He is loving it.
My poor son. He’s learning. But it’s like learning a new language. Innuendo is EVERYWHERE!
1. While observing a large rooftop carrier on a passing vehicle, my son nonchalantly comments, “Look at the rack on that one.” We laughed.
2. While golfing with me this week, we both hit our shots in the same location over the green. As we walked away from the tee, he excitedly says, “Wouldn’t it be cool if our balls were touching?” I told his sister so HE never forgets.
3. Today, while on a walk with the dogs and me, he gleefully exclaimed, “What a lovely bush. It would look great with some lights in it.” I explained that bush has more than just a horticultural reference. He rolled his eyes and blushed. I look forward to, while doing some spring pruning reconnaissance, handing him the hedge clippers and telling him in front of his gardening mother to give the old girl’s bush a trim.
Smoky day. Lots of forest fires. Sigh.
Just a Coke with ice, please.
Yup. I’m in too. Just been so darn busy. Probably have about two thousand words, but it’s all over the place. It’s been a while since I’ve written anything of length and/or substance, if the latter has ever occurred.
But The Open Championship begins in twelve hours. My second favourite tourney. Plus, I’ve got an endless list of projects. Kids are on summer vacation too. Busy. Busy. Busy.
I have twenty-five friends from the English alphabet.
I don’t know why.
***
Yard projects on the agenda this morning. Kids think they’ll be playing video games. Mwah ha ha. You’d think that they’d learn by now that when bacon and eggs, toast with PB and strawberry jam, and lots of fresh fruit is served, it’s going to be a working morning.
Child labour. There is no other kind. 😁
Have a wonderful day!
Well, got my wish. Awesome drama at Euro. Poor England. I thought they showed magnificent ball control (Verbie The Love Bug is tittering), but alas, they lost 3-2 in penalties. So much pressure. So much history. Love it.
Speaking of history, now there are three active tennis greats with 20 major championship victories. Unbelievable. US Open will possibly break the tie.
Next Up: The Open Championship. The pandemic cancelled last year’s event. This one will be emotional. Great tournament, as always. And then, I think I’m done with sports for a while. The Olympics, unless something absolutely astounding happens, will be a lessor event. The Olympics is about bringing people from around the world together to celebrate athletic achievements. It should have been postponed one more year. But that’s the old sports and recreation administrator in me talking. The other voices in my head have no opinion on the matter. One says get some limoncello. A couple say cold brew coffee. And yet another says get the chainsaw and hockey mask and scare the neighbours later this evening.
All three sound pretty good.
McLarry of the family Green, my daughter starts her acting/dancing/singing camp tomorrow. Ballet is done for the year. Decided none over the summer. So, her musical camp will be her sole focus. I know you appreciate those that participate in the performance arts. She’s also a little sketchy, and by sketchy, I mean artist.
Last night, the neighbours had a party and kept us up to around two. Long story. I’m still pissed. Even after I yelled at them at the top of my lungs to shut the f’n music off. They tried to apologize this morning. I said I can’t hear you.
Anyway, while being kept awake, my daughter drew this amazing scene with multiple winged demons descending upon their home. I wish I could post it to show you, but she reminded me that that would be a copyright infringement.
Sheesh. Who’s raising this kid? 🤣🤣🤣
1-1 Italy vs England. Going to extra time.
Numerous articles on why squash is so good, but this most recent one explains it very well. After all the lunges, newbies can’t walk the next day. Hip flexors and butt muscles scream with seizure. It so freakin’ awesome!
Extra time coming up. I hope it goes to penalties. Love the drama. No theatre like a hockey or football shootout.
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6TH APR 2018
NEW BIOMETRIC DATA SUGGESTS SQUASH COULD BE WORLD'S TOUGHEST RACKET SPORT
Ahead of World Health Day (April 7), the Professional Squash Association (PSA) has released new data captured through innovative partnerships with Sports Data Labs and interactiveSquash that suggests squash could be the most physically demanding racket sport in the world.
Through the use of pioneering new technology, data captured during recent PSA World Tour events in Chicago, Sweden and Zurich saw player heart rates regularly exceeding 190bpm – with players covering up to five kilometres in a single match, combined with hundreds of lunges, multi-directional movements and explosive bursts of acceleration.
For the first time quantifying the physicality of top flight squash, the data has shone a light on the supreme physical demands required of professional squash players when competing at the sport’s elite level – whilst reinforcing squash’s position as one of the healthiest sports in the world.
The data has simultaneously placed squash at the forefront of conversations surrounding biometric data with Sports Data Labs tracking player heart-rate data in real-time, providing it for in-broadcast use to improve viewer experience and translate the intensity of lengthy rallies, and the players’ recovery abilities, into homes around the world – emphasising the sport’s commitment to enhancing athletes’ and viewers’ experiences, a cornerstone as squash vies to be included in the Olympic programme.
Their systems saw players peaking regularly between 190-199 bpm – with the average recorded heart rate throughout the monitoring period 171 bpm. The data, which offers a true glimpse into the minute-by-minute exertions placed on a player, is set to be available for commercial activation in the near future.
During one match recorded by interactiveSquash’s distance-tracking programme ‘MoTrack’, Egyptian Tarek Momen was followed as he won a thrilling 97-minute five-game match over Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet. Momen covered just shy of 5 kilometres during a total of 100 contested points – an average of 49 meters per point – whilst striking the ball almost 1000 times. The longest single rally recorded during the time period, a 141 second affair won by another Egyptian, Ramy Ashour, saw the 30-year-old cover 235 meters and complete a dozen lunges of 90 degrees or greater – whilst striking the ball almost 50 times.
Through an average 52 minute match players can expect to cover 2.5 kilometres, execute over 100 lunges and strike the ball over 500 times – with the ball in play 63 per cent of the time for an average of 33 minutes – a figure that pushes squash towards the very top of the relative time-in-play tables.
“Squash has long had a reputation as one of, if not the single most demanding racket sport out there courtesy of the complex movements required and the repeated bursts of short, intense action with little rest periods – without mentioning the mental focus and concentration needed to compete at the elite level,” said PSA COO Lee Beachill.
“That reputation is one that we have lacked the ability to directly translate to fans and viewers in the past. But the trials we have run with Sports Data Labs and interactiveSquash have allowed us to develop a true understanding of players’ movement and relative fitness for the very first time, which goes a long way to help illustrate the physicality of the sport – and reinforce the health benefits associated with playing the game at the amateur level.
“The numbers we have seen have made for compelling reading. To see players covering over one kilometre in a single game is staggering. That movement is made up entirely of three-six meter sprints, of which 30-40 per cent is a backwards movement, followed by a lunge or dynamic movement before striking the ball – a movement which in itself requires precise timing, strength and deft motor skills.
“We’re hugely excited about what this data can mean for squash moving forward and the next step for us is to fully integrate the technology into our broadcast programming and social media channels in real-time to add a new dimension to the sport and enhance the experience for players and fans alike whilst also exploring the commercial opportunities that accompany these kind of data streams.”
Sports Data Labs President & Co-Founder Stan Mimoto said: “Sporting associations, media organisations and fans alike are demanding new forms of data to enhance both the viewer and player experience. We’re delighted to be working with the PSA to help bring squash to life with the addition of real-time human data that helps illustrate just how demanding the sport is.
“We have seen firsthand that the data can greatly enhance the viewer experience and add a new layer to the broadcast production. It also allows players to gain greater insight into their own body which can be utilized in a number of different ways to improve their overall training and levels of play. In addition to player performance, we are excited that our technology opens up an entirely new commercial marketplace for the sport.”
The interactiveSquash system, developed in partnership with ASB Squash Court, records player movement, gather distance and movement patterns, while plans are in place to expand the tracking system to record data such as ball speed and swing speed – metrics which would yield a greater insight into the demands of playing at the top level.
interactiveSquash founder Markos Kerns said: “It is hugely exciting for us to be involved in this new step for squash.
“Gathering performance based data showcases just how phenomenal these athletes are and we are thrilled to be at the cutting edge of this new development in squash.
“It is one of the fastest and most dynamic sports in the world and it takes an exceptional talent to compete at the very elite level. It takes an extraordinary athlete and talent to win at this level and we look forward to working closely with the PSA to develop the technology even further in the coming months.”
What. A. Match.
Anyone watch the COPA America final?
Rough and tough. Lots of contact. Lots of emotion. Blood. Sweat. And ultimately, tears. Finally, Messi, possibly no longer arguably, but has now been crowned the GOAT. Best footballer ever. Finally, after four runners up, and lots of heartache, his first championship representing his country, Argentina.
So many back stories. The Brazilian coach had only lost one game in five years. How the…
Brazil had never lost a final when hosting… until tonight.
Messi finally escapes the clutches of the romanticized ghost of Maradona. Speaking of romance, footie has a very strong homoerotic element. Teams of sweaty, phenomenally fit men, stripping off their shirts and pressing that sweaty flesh, embracing for far, far too long. At least a shirtless Kucherov was sitting alone, drinking beer, and answering questions after Tampa won. LOL.
Superb.
Tomorrow, Italy and England.
***
Fittest players of any sport? Most physically strenuous sport to play?
Football (not US Stewie head shaped throw ball) and hockey for the first question. Surprising to some, but not to those of us who played, squash was rated as the most physically taxing sport.
You want to get a good sweat, knock it up with an evenly matched opponent. Yooz be an achin’ puddle when yooz dun.
***
Hot day again today. Another ride in 33 C. I’m becoming acclimated to the heat. I’m not happy about that. Tomorrow morning will be cooler. Makes for a better ride. Looking forward to that.
***
Limoncello to the rescue!
Love me some robo-geese. Better if their attacks are triggered by fresh cannolini.
Awesome day today. Had a dentist appointment so I rode my bike and a friend took his sons and mine to the golf camp. Dentist was closed. Office vacation. Silly me must have recorded the wrong date. So, I filled my tank and went for a long, country highway ride. It was awesome. Then picked up the boy and he, me, and his sister went golfing. T-Riffic. Got some burgers and Rootbeer slushes for lunch. Then returned home, showered, fell asleep on the couch for about thirty minutes. Out again now, waiting for the boy’s taekwondo class to finish. When I get home, Greek shish kabob are ready for grilling and mashed potatoes et al to compliment.
No wind. No clouds. Spectacular blue sky in about 30 C weather. Does not get better than this. Maybe a late, cooler evening dog walk followed by a spicy rum ‘n Coke to toast the wonderful day.
Have a lovely evening!
She was a timid but exotic Indian beauty. Darker, glowing, blemish free skin that accentuated her beautiful brown eyes and perfect smile. Me, just a nervous soul infatuated by her presence. We were brought together as sceptical strangers, me being extra cautious not to be construed as overbearing or too forward. She was silent, but her chest rhythmically heaved from her lungs repeatedly filling with an air of anticipation. Words were not spoken. They weren’t needed.
We quickly discovered that we were of the same mind but we still couldn’t convey that in spoken word or spirit. But my heart beats were strong and felt through my chest, especially when she looked at me with her shy eyes that twinkled behind the slow motion flutter of long lashes. That subtle grin conveyed her interest, but she still had not yet offered her approval or consent.
(This is where it gets messed up)
The store’s changing room shower we shared offered an intimate privacy that almost buckled my knees. She was so beautiful. My God, she was beautiful. While we faced into the shower, with her bare back to me, my eyes followed her smooth brown skin along the small of her back, over the curve of her bum, down the back of her legs, stopping at her bare feet which stood on an article of clothing of mine. I lowered myself and as I tried to pull free the fabric, she looked down at me, lowered herself and gracefully lifted one foot, then the other, allowing me to remove the item. With her now squatting, knees together but facing away, her head turned to me and we stared into each other’s eyes while the water fell upon us in the shower which was the change room that was in the middle of the store. She then turned her whole body, exposing the naked magnificence of her flat belly and rounded breasts. I did not look. I continued to anxiously stare into her beautiful brown eyes.
With her full lips pursed, she whispered, “It’s okay. I am yours. You can have me.” I allowed my eyes to slowly drop, following the front of her body as I had the back, stopping at her tiny feet. I looked up and smiled, and she smiled back. She was breathtaking. I couldn’t believe her offer. I couldn’t believe she was mine.
I then woke and realized I was dreaming about one of my motorbikes. My Yamaha Tenere 700. The blue version. It’s such a beautiful bike. I was telling someone that yesterday evening.
Ugh. Egad. What is wrong with me?
How did this happen???
BTW, I awoke to screams. At least, I believe they were screams. I believe they were screams of a startled Sara, given Rump said he grabbed a handful of her goodies. I had to re-read his post. I first thought it said goodies, but interpreted it as cookies, but it didn’t feel right. I confirmed why.
A handful of her goodies. SMH. Rump. Rump. Rump. This made me ugly giggle and that was after I dreamed about seducing and being seduced by my motorbike.
What does one order to drink after this?!?
Anyone catch the COPA Quarterfinal between Chile and Brazil?
Jesus got a red card. Expect inclement weather.
Cant sleep. Left over sauerkraut perogies calling my name. They’ve now been silenced.
