Dress Up Time

Happy Halloween!

[January 2010]

[November 2010]

Ultimate?

Ultimate. How can an adjective be a sport?
[Inspired by: TGSEIBM]

FrisTeeVee 2010

Over the next 4 days, teams will be competing for being the Ultimat-est (not easy to pronounce).

USA Ultimate's 2010 Club Ultimate Championships goes from October 28th - 31st in Sarasota, FL. Over 650 North American teams entered the Championship Series in early September; now only the top Ultimate teams are left. Teams in the Masters, Mixed, Open & Women's divisions will compete for the 2010 USA Ultimate Club Championship title.

Live Streaming Sched:
Saturday, Oct. 30
Masters Championship – 3:45pm ET

Sunday, Oct. 31
Women’s Final – 9am ET
Open Final – 11:45am ET
Mixed Final – 2:30pm ET

Nostalgic? View High School game footage (1971)

Romeo & jULieTIMATE

Can you name a sport that does not involve a ball?
A recent study found that simple mental tasks makes pain less painful. Could being passionately in love with a sport-sans-ball (ultimate frisbee) act as a powerful painkiller, then?

Love Really is Like a Drug [g . 10.13]

Intense spells of passion are as effective at blocking pain as cocaine and other illicit drugs, a team of neuroscientists say. Tests on 15 American students who admitted to being in the passionate early stages of a relationship showed that feelings for their partner reduced intense pain by 12% and moderate pain by 45%.

In the study, researchers at Stanford University showed eight women and seven men photographs of their partners while delivering mild doses of pain to their palms with a hot probe. At the same time, the students had their brains scanned by a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine. At the end of each test, the students were asked to rate how much pain they felt.

Feelings of love, triggered by a photo of their partner, acted as a powerful painkiller. Brain scans revealed that these feelings caused more activity in parts of the brain that are also triggered by morphine and cocaine. Looking at an image of an attractive friend rather than their partner had only a mild analgesic effect.

The study went on to investigate whether distracting the students also reduced pain by giving them simple mental tasks, such as naming sports that do not involve a ball. The brain scans showed that while both love and distraction reduce pain, they appear to act on different pathways in the brain.

Week 7: 15 Pts is 2 Damn High

Your opinion of Sludge's game success would have depended on what point(s) you saw them play on Saturday.

Before the first pull, Sludge was judged by its warm-ups and secretly labeled “not new” by our opponents. Sludge then set out on a 3-0-no-u-didn’t lead. The spry offense was backed by a slight wind and quicker-to-the-disc attitude Zone D. And, of course, some luck with a tipped score from Matthew; 7-3.

Up 8-3 at half, Sludge scored most points off Ab’minded unforced turnovers.

Still, as the brown team improved on D, their offense repeatedly failed to score with many missed O-ppurtunities at the goal line. Case in ONE Point: Jen to Steve (drop); MicHael to Jen (throwaway); finally, MicHael to Jen (Score!). Yet those near-misses turned out to be enough for the battle of field position. 10-6.

The unthinkable happened...Would you believe Mike's hammer could be blocked? Sludge was crashing (again) just after they had scored double digits; 10-8. Sludge finally broke through with some timely smack downs from Rachel. Win 15-10.

Organize, Or Else

Only a few reasonable days to prepare yourself for the Rally to Restore Sanity * March to Keep Fear Alive in DC! (free)

For long-range planners, there's the 2011 USA Ultimate National Organizers Convention - an event serving as a dedicated forum in which to interact and network with peers & colleagues from the Ultimate community - Feb. 26-27 in Washington, D.C. Register before Nov. 30 to take advantage of "early-bird" discounts. The convention will provide valuable opportunities for team, league and event organizers to communicate and share best practices with other attendees. (not free)

Past luminaries to attend the NOC include: MattHew (2004) & MicHael (2007)

Flow-er Power

Stellar Findings

Sludge, not the oldest thing ever seen in the universe (phew!), recently endured a vast 10-item online survey. From the results, 2 important items were learned:

1 - Saturday's Game Time + Location: 10/23 @ 12pm @ Lee Middle School

2 - Peanut Butter preferences - chart below ironically showing CRUNCHY about to eat the SMOOTH PB wedge. Crunchy-lovers say one thing; your graphical representation says another!

SLUDGEopardy V

Welcome to the fifth & final round of SLUDGEopardy trivia questions about Sludge's tournament history - tracked, archived & devised by Matthew - in honor of the 25th season. A special prize for the person with the most correct answers. Submit answers via Comments.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

First Round: Questions 1 - 5
Second Round: Questions 6 - 10
Third Round: Questions 11 - 15
Fourth Round: Questions 16 - 20

Q21. In Spring 2009, Sludge failed to capitalize on the home field advantage of Montgomery Hills. Instead it finished 0-3 in its pool against O Face, JAC Hammer, and a team that Sludge had beaten many times before. What was this yellow-shirted team’s name?

Q22. The following season (Fall 2009), for the second time in its history, Sludge finished 3-1 in pool play but got eliminated on points. What was the controversial rule that contributed to this outcome?

Q23. In Spring 2010, in a case of regrettable déjà vu, Sludge again finished 0-3 in pool play at Montgomery Hills despite supposed home field advantage and a number-one seeding. One of the three losses came at the hands of a blue-shirted team that Sludge had a very long history of beating. Name the team.

Q24. What is Sludge’s win-loss record in championship games (finals)?

Q25. Sludge’s most recent victory in quarterfinal or higher game was against a team called Trunk Monkey. During what year and season did this occur?

Agua Buddha

Pool at The Sun. Ahhhhhh!

You NSAID It

"Only a [person] who has felt ultimate despair
is capable of feeling ultimate bliss."
-- Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870)

Another 25th Season logo to share...

Sunnyside Up

Q: How long for the Sun's heat to reach Earth?

A: Heat is transmitted through conduction, convection, and radiation. The heat that reaches us from the Sun is infrared radiation, which travels at the speed of light. So, it takes about 8 minutes for it to reach Earth from the Sun.

-------------------------------

The above trivia is a distraction, as was the good post earlier today, from the less-than-good news...

OBX 2010 attendees learned they must pay more than what was advertised. Kid's percentage increase = same as # of minutes for Sun's rays to hit (~8%); Adults nearly twice the number of minutes (15.6%). Pay up (again)!

Seven on the Line

[OBX - October 2010 . By Nigel]

Week 6: Wipeout

Sludge immediately befriended Anacostia Park’s prevailing wind by taking quick advantage of unforced errors. The offense scored non-ebBullient upwinders grabbing an early lead at 3-2, and breezing to a 5-point lead at halftime.

If Russ’s 3 drops were any indication, this game was out of reach… for the team that did not make any 2nd half adjustments. 10-4, 10-5.

The wind became a non-factor for brown whose cleats appeared filled with sand. With less-than-active-cutting and uncharacteristic throwaways, the only good point made was how we shoulda implemented the “One-Turnover” per possession afforded to Generation II at OBX. Sludge D was more like a construction Zone – needing lotsa repairs! As Sludge kept “just” playin’, backhand’dcompliment kept scoring. The tide officially changed as ba’co tied it at 11’s.

There was no way to control the drift. Sludge tired & no rescue was possible. Loss 12-15.

NOTES: We may disappointed Rachel, but we definitely let down Geneviève!

Fris-LP

A very flattering frisbee with a record amount of softness. Sew Cool!

Plush Record LP music fan [my paper crane]

Descrip: These plush records are made from a soft black fleece, and specially printed cotton fabric. Each record has a label on the front & back, and each one has different info listed (just like a real record would) One side will say side 1 (or side A) the reverse side 2 (or side B). Each record lists song titles and running time....things like Stitching The Night Away 2:00

Price: $5.50

iYearn wrinkles

3-D-isc

First, jersey sublimation; now a "world's first"... HUH?!

World’s First 3D Printed Frisbee Also Most Expensive? [Wired . 10.13]

The Frisbee has come along way since hungry Connecticut schoolkid first gobbled down one of William Russell Frisbie’s tasty pies and tossed the empty tin at a friend. Now, going by the tortuous name of FrisMe, we have the “World’s first 3D printed frisbee”.

Printed in Belgium by I.Materialize, the plastic FrisMe is available to anyone and can be customized to any design or shape (hint: keep it round and dished or it won’t fly so well). If you have your own 3D printer, you can download the 3D file and print your own.

Should you opt to have I.Materialize make one for you, you might consider locking it up and never throwing it. A standard FrisMe will cost a staggering $215. Add your “initials and your choice of texture” and the price goes up to $230 (including shipping). And if you choose to fly out to Belgium, have the I.Materialize folks take a 3D scan of your hand and have it immortalized in a flying disc, you’ll pay $1,300 (plus flights and accommodation).

Available now.

FLOW-ter

FLOW is not uncharted territory, but looks interesting as photographs.

Phil Nesmith’s “Flow” - a collection of nearly two dozen photographs of this year’s BP oil spill - is an unusual example of hyper-current imagery & positively ancient technology. Nesmith uses the wet-plate collodion method. His rationale for employing the process-it was the standard photographic technique at the time oil was discovered in the U.S. in the 1850s.

IRVINE CONTEMPORARY
1412 14th St NW
11 AM - 6 PM; Tues - Sat to October 30

No O.B. in OBX

Per BULA, the official beach ultimate field consists of the playing field proper (49 x 27 yards) + two endzones (16 x 27 yards). Or, as experienced at OBX recently, put 2 cones down to mark the front of each endzone & play with no backline & no sidelines (ocean is in).

Ebb & Over

Reality ebbs revealing signs beach vacation is over. More hints:
> No dolphins outside the window

> Less friends standing in kitchen

> Bad alternative radio

> More clouds

> Much less dousing opportunities

OBX Trivia Answers

Answers to the SLUDGEOBXpardy trivia questions about Sludge's OBX history in honor of the 10th Anny are below . . . . . . . . . .

"Warm up" question: how much Sludge can a hot tub hold?
A: 11.

Q1. What famous rock-and-roller was once mimicked by Mike during a game of Celebrity?
A: Mick Jagger.

Q2. Which critical piece of kitchen equipment was missing during OBX 2008?
A: Coffee Maker.

Q3. Which people have attended all OBX events from 2001 to 2009?
A: Matthew & Fishpez.

Q4. What was the location of the first official OBX event?
A: Corolla.

Q5. Who once proposed saving yen by foraging?
A: Jen.

Q6. In which year did gale-force winds may it necessary to invoke "the Rule" for beach ultimate?
A: 2001.

Q7. How did Rob once fix a broken oven on pizza night?
A: His big buttocks.

Q8. Which of the following games have NOT been played at any OBX event? Ultimate, chess, Risk, poker, paper football, Battleship, Balderdash, pool (billiards), Candyland, foosball?
A: Risk.

Q9. Who once called from an OBX hot tub to compliment a beer company on the quality of its brew?
A: Joe.

Q10. What did Hurricane Isabel indirectly cause Gayle to have to do while at OBX?
A: Receive a tetanus shot.

Hot tubbing (2001 in OBX)

Yawn

10-1Ob-X

Had you forgotTEN?: Submit your answers to the ten trivia questions about Sludge's escape to the OBXeach.

Happy, Sunny Place

Up all night trying to figure out where the sun went??

...It will finally dawn on you.

Southbound Talents

LeBron famously announced his intentions of his plans for the fall. It's Sludge's turn starting Saturday morning...

"...taking [our] talents to South...[Outer Banks, North Carolina] Beach!"
"...looking forward to it!"
"...hard to turn down."

Are We There Yet?

294 (s)miles to OBX...

Moon Over

SoooooOBX last year...

Sludge floods towns in Hungary

Pix of flooded village of Devecser, (93 miles) west of Budapest Hungary...

Recalls memories of the sludge issue in TN.

Sludge Won't go Hungary

Disregard that "the Hungarian government is calling ... sludge ... an "ecological disaster" and has declared a state of emergency .... " Be assured that OBXers will not go hungary.

Saturday dinner: Tex-Mex
Sunday breakfast: (Andrew)
Sunday evening: Pizzza (Joe)
Monday evening: Pasta

'Ecological catastrophe': Toxic sludge kills 4

The Hungarian government is calling a toxic sludge spill there an "ecological disaster" and has declared a state of emergency after three people were killed and over 100 injured when a reservoir at an alumina plant ruptured. Six are missing.

Alumina contains heavy metals and is a waste product in aluminum production, and exposure to it can be deadly. Victims of the spill have had the red sludge burn through their clothes, and one man told the AP that it had burned his uncle "to the bone." Experts say it could take days for people to realize how badly they have been burned by the sludge.

At least 35.3 million cubic feet of red alumina sludge has leaked, hitting three towns within a 15.4 square mile area. Environmentalists are speaking out today, saying they warned the government years ago about the high levels os alumina that were accumulating across Hungary. Seven years ago, there was an estimated 30 million tons in the country. It is feared the sludge could reach the Danube River if the spill is not contained, and hundreds of tons of plaster has been poured to stop the flow.

OBX-cast

The forecast for OBX appears to be sunny. Sandy, too; but you already knew that!

Losing Ground

Google recently updated its satellite imagery of the DC area & the new shots illustrate how much our reliable pickup location - West Potomac Park - has been monumentally lost.


Timeline:
January 2008 - Announcement.

January 2009 - Posts Up. Fencing.

August 2009 (before)...



September 2010 (after) ...

OBX Trivia

Welcome to the SLUDGEOBXpardy trivia questions about Sludge's OBX history - developed by Andrew - in honor of the 10th Anny. A special prize for the person with the most correct answers. Submit answers via Comments. Answers to be revealed on 10/10/10 (in OBX).

"Warm up" question: how much Sludge can a hot tub hold? [See picture at end]

Q1. What famous rock-and-roller was once mimicked by Mike during a game of Celebrity?

Q2. Which critical piece of kitchen equipment was missing during OBX 2008?

Q3. Which people have attended all OBX events from 2001 to 2009?

Q4. What was the location of the first official OBX event?

Q5. Who once proposed saving yen by foraging?

Q6. In which year did gale-force winds may it necessary to invoke "the Rule" for beach ultimate?

Q7. How did Rob once fix a broken oven on pizza night?

Q8. Which of the following games have NOT been played at any OBX event? Ultimate, chess, Risk, poker, paper football, Battleship, Balderdash, pool (billiards), Candyland, foosball?

Q9. Who once called from an OBX hot tub to compliment a beer company on the quality of its brew?

Q10. What did Hurricane Isabel indirectly cause Gayle to have to do while at OBX?

Hot tubbing (2001 in OBX)

Week 4: Win by a Hare

Out of the gate, the red team of NexGen sprinted ahead 2-0. Sludge plodded with a no-hurry offense and rubbed their lucky rabbit’s foot creating accepting any/all turnovers. Up 3-2, somehow, a person D [aka, man-to-man] was suggested and applied after brown’s zone was determined ineffective. 3-3. OK, back to zone D…3-4. 3-5. 4-6.

Luck was on Sludge’s side allowing Chris’ hanger to be caught by Nigel for a score & Nigel’s tipped D throw was caught by Steve in the end zone. Sarah, instead, relied on her skills to squeeze a flick at the corner cone to Nigel. 6-8.

With the sun setting, shadows slow flowed to the end zone; guidance the older team took (flow, not setting). The O spread the disc around steadily; defensively, Sludge stayed in their Zone shell, but with a twist - the zone wings took a deeper position allowing much more space between them and the active cup. 9-8.

Sludge tortoisequed momentum at 12-11 as they snapped NexGen 1-point zone D.

At 15-14, person D stuck its neck out again to catch our opponents napping. Russ beat his player to the disc in middle of the field and went in for the final score. Win 16-14.

OB-X

Not to OB-verlooked during the wild celebration of Sludge's 25th Season is yet another milestone! Congrats on the Tenth Anniversary of SLUDGE on the OBXeach.

Ten years of Sludge travelling from the DC-area to the Outer Banks. Living, eating, sleeping?, drinking, newspaper reading, hot-tubbing, swimming, playing...together, like a family vacation; albeit a growing family.

Designed by: Andrew

Go Sox!

And this little piggy went "Fleece! Fleece! Fleece!" all the way home...

Super-soft n·a·p® socks [Brookstone]

Info: Made of ultra-plush NapSoft® material, our socks cradle your feet in soothing warmth. They're perfect for dozing or lounging around at any time of day. The minute your skin comes in contact with these socks, you begin to feel their therapeutic effect. They instantly cuddle your feet & ankles in soothing softness and cradle you in comfort. The result is a warm, relaxing sensation that seems to permeate through your entire body.

Treat yourself or a loved one to the perfect socks for rest and relaxation.

Size: One size fits most feet. Socks are machine-washable for easy cleaning.

Color: Coco + Mink (brown)

Price: $20.00

SLUDGEopardy IV

Welcome to the fourth round of SLUDGEopardy trivia questions about Sludge's tournament history - tracked, archived & devised by Matthew - in honor of the 25th season. A special prize for the person with the most correct answers. Submit answers via Comments.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

First Round: Questions 1 - 5
Second Round: Questions 6 - 10
Third Round: Questions 11 - 15

Q16. In Spring 2006, Sludge was eliminated by a short-lived team called Cold Fusion. In what round of the tournament did this occur?

Q17. The following season (Fall 2006) Sludge faced Absinthe Minded in the semi-finals, a game that Sludge would lose on universe point, 14-13. What memorable play occurred in that game?

Q18. In Spring 2007, Sludge failed to advance after going 0-3 in its pool. One of the three losses was to Chomp. The other losses were to teams with which Kelly Luck was associated – one officially and one because of Wildwood. Name these two teams.

Q19. The next season (Fall 2007) Sludge struggled in pool play and barely survived the pre-quarterfinal, only to be soundly defeated in the quarterfinals by what newly renamed team? (Hint: Prior incarnations included Sunny Daze and Flibbertigibbit.)

Q20. After having the Spring 2008 tournament rained out, Sludge was eliminated by Absinthe Minded in which round of the Fall 2008 tournament?

Do Over: September 2010

Catch up on last month's noteworthy posts you may have missed...

Plastic Collection

And so it begins...(again)

Artistic Liberty

That Cloud looks like a Frisbee