Jerrad's 2nd Post: The Ups and Downs of Curling

Well, I wish I had better news to report about our curling team comprised of Kevin Caloia, John Schmeltzer, Steven Stewart, and myself. We curl every Wednesday night at the Arlington Curling Club and for all of us, minus Steven (who has curled since high school), it's our first crack at the sport.

Before our very first match on Nov. 19, Steven's dad, Bill, who has been curling for 43 years, was gracious enough to offer a much-needed quick lesson on technique and strategy. To note, the source we used in preparing for our first curling competition was the sport's Wikipedia entry seen here. So needless to say, we were facing an uphill battle from the beginning, although we came into that first week confident that we wouldn't make complete fools of ourselves.

Our first competitor couldn't have been hand-picked any better. Each team is comprised of four individuals, and these gentlemen were around the same age as us and it was their first try at the sport as well. Fast forwarding to the ending result, we, or the "Ice Ducks" as we call ourselves, somehow came out on top and posted our first victory. We were relieved to know that we wouldn't lose every match and become the Detroit Lions of Arlington. As a side note, I in fact did fall on the ice (and was the only person to do so) while sweeping, and a long-time member yelled out "Man down!"...which actually was pretty funny.

The past two weeks we haven't been so lucky. You see, many of the competitors in the league are in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and beyond, and have been curling for just as many years as Bill Stewart has, so they have the touch and accuracy down-pat (the Ice Ducks are still searching for consistency in both areas).

We lost in week two to a very veteran team and this past week we were so bad the accumulated score was taken off the board in the sixth round (matches last eight rounds typically). Alas, we've learned a lot, such as the terms: "Hog Line," Rocks in the House," "In & Out Turns," and the "Hack." And no, if you're good at shuffleboard at the local tavern, that doesn't automatically make you a curling All-Star...we've learned that very quickly. All isn't bad though. After the matches the winning team buys beers (out of a classic vending machine downstairs) for the non-winning team, so being on the "short end" of the scoreboard isn't such a bad thing sometimes. But we're still having a great time and all of the members have been very nice in welcoming us to Arlington.

Thanks for reading...we'll see you Thursday for the newest edition of "Maynard's Musings" with an entry by Mallards Field Manager C.J. Thieleke! Should be good!