BLAIKIE- Darts Anyone?

Original PDF's Circa 2007

2011-04-04T11:44:00.001-04:00

A few Shots I found on an old phone of the Poison Dart Frog's. All but one have reunited this season. The Hangin Hog's. Will the King return?

2011-04-04T11:29:00.001-04:00

Going Deep into Jersey.

Not so happy to be back on the LiRR after PR.

2009-09-22T22:20:00.000-04:00

Harlan

PR Pictures... Day Two, Take Two...

2009-09-12T21:27:00.003-04:00

Pictures are out of order... But the food at this Latin-Indian Fusion resturant, Tantra, was amazing!

Also, below are pictures from the beach at La Concha and Old San Juan. Great weather, amazing food each day. Wish it could have been longer.

More PR pictures... Finally Day Two...

2009-09-12T21:15:00.000-04:00

Dar viewing the ocean..

2009-09-12T19:52:00.003-04:00

Great view from the beach side pool at La Concha. Extremely nice people that made the day relaxing and pass by beautifully.

Orlando pool crashing in pr

2009-09-12T15:04:00.001-04:00

Pool hopping at La Concha

2009-09-12T14:34:00.001-04:00

Mofongo in Puerto Rico.

2009-09-12T00:20:00.003-04:00

Mofongo in a coconut shaped wooden bowl, soup and beer in metal bowl and cup. Excellent food!

Dinner Arrives...

Dinner is almost done...

Done...

Old Harbor Brewery

2009-09-11T17:38:00.002-04:00

Cerveza Santo Viejo (Pilsner), Cerveza Old Harbor (Pale Ale), and a seasonal Wheat Beer, not sure the name. All good beers.

Pale Ale was my favorite. Dar liked the wheat...

Morning at the beach in Condado

2009-09-11T15:09:00.004-04:00

Great weather! Water is warm, sand is soft, perfect start to the trip.

Take off to PR!

2009-09-11T00:30:00.001-04:00

We made a friend already. He gave up his seat and let us sit together. Mi Amigo.

Deep Blue at the Jet Blue airport

2009-09-10T20:14:00.000-04:00

Yum...

But Sushi could have been colder.

Good first stop. Big smile on D!

Harlan

Kenny and Harlan Go to the Airport...

2009-09-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

Plans were made, I just don’t remember what they are at this point…

OD '09

2009-09-08T12:31:00.001-04:00

Some pictures from the last trip West, OD'09....

Before the journey from Spokane to Sacramento even began, the big bad new Baru gets side swiped by some crazy lady delaying the departure south.

Top Secret...

Bacon Donut and the Voodoo Donut shop in Portland, OR...

Entering California through the Red Wood Forest...

Travel will begin shortly...

2009-09-08T12:16:00.000-04:00

Not quite doing what these people are doing, but it will be fun…

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/09/08/jetblue.deal/index.html

Week 3 On...

2007-01-25T19:23:00.000-05:00

I have not posted mostly because of being too busy that taking the time to write about darts did not seem as high a priority as playing when ever I could. I have traveled to two tournaments in the last month as well, Philly and LI. More on that another time, but note to self, T80 and a 85(single 10, single Bull, Double Bull!) finish in a great singles match was the highlight of singles.

Since Week 3 both the teams I am on have done as I expected they were going to do. Monday Night league we have proudly taken last place in the Monday A1 Division. A1 Monday is no joke. Prop's to the final four teams in the play offs. (All A1 teams, as expected)

Tuesday night A1, The Acumen, we finished in second place in the division and are now going to the finals after a commanding first round win vs the 3rd place team.

The finals are set for next Tuesday(30th) and the following Tuesday (6th) vs the first place Dynasty team. Should be fun.

BTW, last time I was there playing in cricket I hit a R9 vs Tony Roman, i am not sure if he remembers that or if I mentioned it before. Hope he does now.

Will update after the Finals...

Me sporting a new hair cut. More Acurate for my throw.(;

Week 3- Tuesday

2006-10-06T13:12:00.000-04:00

This is what I wrote about Week 3 Tuesday, which took place October 3rd. I did not finish it and put the proper references in, any way, here it is. I will right a summary of the rest of the season shortly.

The Dynasty is good. Final Score, Tony's Boys 18, The Acumen 6.

I seem to forget how good the entire team is beyond the Jaime Donovan, Neil McLoughlin, Tony Roman (who had a 13 dart singles game). Props to the entire team.

I was lacking all energy because of a late night of Yom Kippur atonement the night before. I know its not quite the way it was written to atone for ones sins, but we all do it differently. I paid, trust me. As a result I did not play until the final doubles 501 round. In the match I hit nothing, not one triple, not one round over 60. Amazingly enough Kevin King and I beat Jaime and Neil in the first leg of the match. Kevin hit a 180 and I followed with a horrible 41 leaving a bad out above 120. Kev then hit the out I left, I do not even remember what it was. Same story next game, I was cold, Kevin was solid. He left me with an 80 out and I could not complete the upset by taking the second leg of the match. Jamie quickly cleaned up nicely taking out the double 5 in one shot.

It seems like a lot of the team was a little off, but we know its going to be a long season and hope to bounce back from it.

Personally I was disappointed that I missed out in the fun of playing this big team. It is what you look forward to as you get better. I just hope Tony and the gang do not retire too soon.

Going to O'Hanlon's tonight to start warming up for next time we see them.

Week 1 and 2

2006-09-30T12:11:00.000-04:00

Week 1:

Monday: We fought hard and lost 10-14. The entire team, except for myself was shooting well. We ended up loosing, but we felt good about our first showing in A1 Monday. A highlights for me was the game one win taking a 90 out in an odd fashion against a good shot who then hit a T80 and set up a 118Finish in the next game. Also a 120 Start later in the night. Other then that my game was a little flat.

Tuesday: Big win as we expected 21-3. The Tuesday team looks to be good and should only get stronger. Personal highlight a 105 out. Highest of the week in the league. That surely will not last with the caliber of teams playing.

Week 2:

Monday: A little more disappointing then week1, lost 9-15 against a team that was not as strong as the week one boys. Could have, should have. The season should only get harder, just hope to give it our all. Only 317 All Stars, well below where I should be.

Tuesday: A solid win 17-7 down a Kettle of Fish. The nicest bunch of opponents. Even with the good win we left some games on the board that we could have easily won. Personal highlight was my game one win against Andrew Doyle.

Next week Monday no games. Next week Tuesday, O'Hanlon's Dynasty... A true test. "Come On!"

Dance for Darfur

2006-09-11T12:35:00.000-04:00

, A dance for a important cause right in New York City!

Let's not forget.

2006-09-11T11:14:00.000-04:00

9/11

Travel safe Rudy!

We will be waiting...FL06?

Bar on Fire

2006-09-03T17:45:00.000-04:00

Last night at a very late hour playing some darts... Firemen and cops rushed into McSwiggins (which is recently under new management) asking everyone to quickly leave because the diner next door was on fire. The same diner where we just had take out from. McSwiggins was one of the first dart bars in New York that I played out of. The new management was doing some renovations and two of the tree dart boards were taken down. I do hope the boards are put back up and they continue to play in league as well as have a great beer selection and keep the beer priced reasonably.

After the fire we headed over to the Black Bear Lodge, which has a dart board, but the setup is quite poor and not the reason to go to the bar.

In the picture below you can see the diner filled up with smoke and obviously the roof on fire

Before the WSOD on ESPN there was this...

2006-09-01T17:28:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not this was made a few years ago. Designed by Woodward Inc. Written by my self during the playoffs in 2004. Enjoy!

Big Numbers!

2006-08-28T11:29:00.000-04:00

So does practice help? In which setting does it help?

I do not know the real answer to this.

However, this weekend was a good one. Friday night at the East Gaf, after a recruiting session with Tom. I got some good practice in. The night started with a friendly warm up game with the White Hawk himself, Tom. Tom pulled a few hundred points ahead, and was sitting on an out when I decided I should try and concentrate... T80. First I have hit in a while. First I have ever hit during practice, or at least that I can remember. I have hit a few in league, but not in a good practice game.

The T80 left me looking at a double 15, which I proceed to take out with my second dart. There were many good shooters on the prowl Friday night... Mikey D, Roger, Pual R, Rufus, Neil, Matt Malone and Jenny(who beat Neil, list written in no particular order). Later in the night I faced off against Matt Malone, the best shooter in the bar that night. First game, SS/DF singles 501, I some how pulled it off. First time I have played Matt one on one and I beat him. For some reason I tend to do that with big shooters. I think it is because they underestimate me and I sneak one by them. Second game I played against Matt he was sitting in a commanding position and I was on 154, T18, T20, single 20. Damn! Still I had a shot at the Double 10 and did not hit it. Unfortunately we could not play a rubber match and Matt left shortly after.

Saturday, playing down at the Ace Bar during the day with Steven's Point born, San Franciscan loving, New York hater, old friend, Matt C., I hit another T80 in a practice game against him. That was two in two days. Not bad for me. It was nice because the set up was not ideal, but we made the most of it while putting back a few Miller High life's. It was also the first bar I ever played a league match at way back in C. Not the best set up, but a interesting Lower East Side bar (LES for the natives) .

Sunday, after being lazy all day I finally picked up my darts in the evening and started shooting on Home Board 213. While the lovely smell of stuffed scallops, rice pilaf and spinach was being cooked up by Jenny, I hit a C6! Matt C. who was over for dinner was witness.

So all in all, it was a good weekend getting back into the groove of things.

I am now going to start keeping track of the actual number of T80-T71's and C6, R9's I have hit.

T80- 4(2 in league and 2 recently in practice) If anyone remember me hitting a T80 against them, let me know!
T71- 2(both in league)
C6- 2 (both in practice)
R9- Hit them, but no official count.

Luck of the Draw

2006-08-21T11:21:00.000-04:00

During the off season there are quite a bit of Luck of the Draw tournaments around New York City and the surrounding areas, such as Hoboken. I am not sure the value in the luck of the draw for improving skills, some studies show that tournaments and even league do not make much of a difference in a players skill. I happen to disagree.

Below is a shirt I won playing at Stout's Luck of the Draw a few weeks back on top of the cash winnings(ok I have played some darts this summer). I played with Vance Sutherland and we took out Tony Roman and John Wood in the finals, although no one was playing their best darts.

Actually, I think Mark the manager, gave it to me because I drink their quite a bit. I like Stout even though it is huge and can be over powering at times with the people going to Penn Station. All the bartenders are quite nice and the beer selection top notch. Also, two former teammates work there and it is nice to catch up.

A few weeks after that at Amsterdam billiards Luck of the Draw took second place, which paid some money. Played with my buddy Craig Knobbs. Craig was the first A player I played against in a tournament back when I was a C player. I remember shooting my heart out, shooting some of my best darts at the time and still loosing all the games. But it was a great experience and further entrenched me in the game, thanks Craig!

In the finals at Amsterdam we drew Vance, same guy I won with a few weeks prior and his partner, a C shooter. Not surprisingly Vance and company won the finals match, both Craig and I were not bringing our normal A games. But hats off to Vance and his feather weight darts.

I need to take the tournaments serious and challenge my self to play better. Sometimes it is hard for me to find my grove. Looking forward to the season starting in about a month.

Summer Vacation From Darts

2006-08-19T18:45:00.000-04:00

No post since the end of the dart season due to being busy at work and staying away from the board a little.

Have spent some good times with friends and family recently. A couple weeks ago went to the Manu Chao concert in Prospect Park, part of the Celebrate Brooklyn fundraiser.

The concert was a blast, wish I had come more pictures. Only one of my cousin Kyle and I after dancing for hours. Note: Kyle's ticket was generously given to him by Jenny.

Check out the clip below... It is not the concert in Brooklyn, but it is a good recording. (you should pause the music on the left first)

Last weekend while there was a tournament in CT. I was enjoying some time out in Long Island.

Did a little Yachting...

Not this boat...

Not this boat...

And not the big boat on the dock, its the small one next to it...

And now the crew for the weekend...

Where's Cork? Spring 2006

2006-07-14T17:59:00.000-04:00

With a strong finish to the season, Where's Cork? finished first in the Monday A2 division. That gave us a first round bye and matched us against friendly foes Totally Toasted, A1 division in the second round of the playoffs.

We mounted a good come back, but fell one dart short of pushing the playoff game to 1001. Hate to say it, but I had a shot at it.

Fun season... Should have, could have, would have... We will hit it next season.

Dart case patch.

2006-07-13T22:52:00.000-04:00

Picture of the patch on my dart case.

The patch was designed by my cousin Kyle while in pilot training for the USAF. He now flies great big tankers around the world.

The patch is my way keep him close. Since I carry the darn case almost everyday. Also, it is my little way to be patriotic.

OK, OK. They are that good!

2006-05-24T13:43:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay between post (Tony!)

The trip up to CT was well worth it. The dart players in the PDC are truly professionals and it was a treat to be sitting next to the worlds best shooters.

To read details on the event click the picture above, it will take you to the website.

Also, remember to tune in to ESPN's coverage of the tournament starting next week.

More posts to come...

World Series of Darts

2006-05-20T13:44:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, I will be going to the World Series of Darts at Mohegan Sun. It should be great to see the best players in the world play. I read today that Bill Davis qualified in the Friday Night Madness event. He is the only player that I have personally played against. I can't say I have beaten him, but I had a shot at a 170 out when he was sitting on 32. I ended up hitting a 140 and he won on the next dart, but it was a great experience. That was a couple season ago at the Kettle of Fish, a good bar in the West Village.

Off to New England...

Lefty...

2006-05-18T01:42:00.000-04:00

The broken hand was my worst dart moment, and one of the things I am least proud of. Had to start shooting lefty after a crazy night at the 19th Hole. Resulted in me getting two pins in my throwing hand and missing darts in what should have been an easy season and win of the C division that season. Luckily, I have joined the N.V.I.D Campaign ("No Violence In Darts" for those of you who don't know).

The picture is with my pops in the fall a few years ago.

Home Board 213

2006-05-18T00:14:00.000-04:00

I purchased a new dart board and dry erase board for the apartment, against the advice of my bank account. Now, I just have to make it easier to shoot in the apartment with out having to move the furniture. With this I do hope to practice more and save some money. Who knew drinking could cost so much money....

The board is the new Winmau Blade 3. In my opinion, it is a step up from my past Nodor Board. However, I have already had some bounce outs on the razor wires. They are not as thin wires as the past Blade and current Bandit (made by DMI), but I think this is good, they will last longer. You have to see it to understand, as with most dartboards and supplies for that matter. This board was purchase at a very fair price at A-Z Darts.

It would have been nice to purchase supplies at an actual store, but there seems to be no good stores left in the city that have a wide enough variety of products. This is shocking because we do live in one of the biggest cities in the world... Any way, so much for ranting.

The Four Holemen

2006-05-15T15:09:00.000-04:00

Paying tribue...This was the 19th Hole team, The Four Holemen, the season we won B. Pointing to the King. Good group of guys coming together at the right time. We all miss that place.

-"thatss whats up!"

Yellow Dart's Home Board

2006-05-04T17:13:00.000-04:00

This is my cousin Kyle's(Yellow Dart) home board in Spokane, Washington. Probably my favorite backboard I have seen. Made of a collection of coasters from around the world. Also, the DMI Bandit is one of my favorite boards to shoot on. Especially in this condition.

Where's Cork? - Fall 2005

2006-05-04T00:21:00.000-04:00

This picture is of my Monday team last season. It was my first season playing with "Where's Cork?", of which I felt privileged to join. The picture was at The Gaf (West Side) after our final game last season. We tied the team that night to secure a 2nd place finish on Monday's in the A2 division of the New York Dart Organization "NYDO" heading into the playoffs.

What it was, what it is...

2006-05-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

So,way back in 2004 this blog was originally supposed to be family related. However, now it will concentrate more on darts and what I do on a regular basis.(which will still include family related things.)

I have been reading more and more blogs, dart related and not. Some that sparked my interest in making a blog on darts are the following:

The Dartbags(this is probably takes first prize). It is well written, fun, and really captures the atmosphere of the game night.

Another fun read has been Ebchester Darts, of which I know nothing about the author other then what is written in the blog. I enjoy reading about the different bars("pubs") that they shoot at. He also does a nice write up on the playing conditions.

Also, I enjoy The Dart Indoors. Has a great list of boards and an impressive dart collection.

Me

2006-05-03T11:44:00.000-04:00

This is the Blaikie Blogg....??

2004-08-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

Not sure what is to come. Hold on to your seat belts.

H Blaikie