One of my senior engineers from work and good friend had continuously been trying to get our team get together outside of work for some leisurely activities that would involve no stress. The funny thing about Computer Engineers is that we are typically introverted home bodies. So this proved to be a challenge for Dave to get us together and out in the sun. After reflecting on it, I realize that Dave’s years of experience probably developed the necessity for extra curicular activities with co-workers to keep a great work environment.

First to show up

The thing that turned me off the most about this idea was that the rest of my team agreed that Saturday morning at 8 AM would be the best possible time to get together. I argued this for quite some time but between prior commitments and the fear of the sun’s heat in Florida being on my argument’s opposing team I was doomed for a loss quite like the Spurs in a Stern ran league.

Of course I end up showing up first as I horribly hate being late to any affair. This required my sleep to be cut off at 7:15 AM so I was afraid I was going to end up being irratable. Dave shows up second and gets out to greet me. I had never previously been Frisbee Golfing (Frolfing as it is sometimes called) so I had no frisbees. It was Dave’s job to bring the frisbees for us to use. He quickly realizes he had forgot them and rushes off to retrieve them. The rest of the party shows up with their own frisbees as we wait on Dave to return. We lather up with some sun screen and prepare ourselves for the adventure upon us.

The Rainbow Warrior

I review Dave’s options for frisbees and the all purpose rainbow colored frisbee jumps out at me. Not only would I be able to make jokes about it throughout the day, I was hopeful that it would also be easy to find when it would end up in the overgrown brush along the sides of the course.

‘

Finding even the first hole proved to be a challenge for us. Frolfing at this park was great because there was no fee for playing but that perk was quickly realized when we saw the lack of maintenance and signs. It took us about 10 minutes of walking around before we found the first hole.

After we found it and I threw a frisbee for the first time in probably a decade, I started to get back into my comfort zone. It was about this time I saw the typical Florida park sign declaring laws and order. Too bad the sign isn’t obeyed and children are fornicating in the park. How do I know this you ask? Well probably because of the used condoms laying scattered about the ground.

The coolest part about this Frolf course is that it is right along the beautiful blue gulf waters.

The craziest part about this Frolf course is that while it may be along the beautiful calm coastal waters, it is also within everything that is the Florida wilderness. This proved to burdensome with our rookie like frisbee tosses that always ended up in the brush.

What is even crazier is that when you walk the course long enough you actually end up right next to the interstate(ie Civiliazation). So its like this ying~yang thing between beauty and man’s graffiti on something beautiful(the Earth).

Speaking of man’s mark on something beautiful, Maxmio park didn’t let me down,

Our biggest mistake of spending a few hours in the Florida sun was the lack of bevarages. More specifially, those of the alcoholic kind. But alcoholism aside, it was nice to spend a few hours outside of work with the guys. I’ve never really gotten into the whole golfing thing but the lack of frisbee tossing skills needed to enjoy a day on the frolf course opposed to the golfing skills needed to not throw a set of clubs in a pond is like night and day.

John getting weird

I was even able to nail the only long shot of the day. On the 17th hole I hit a 35 footer for a birdie. Unfortunately by that point I had completely given up on keeping score as I was already a plus ten.

The back nine of the course wraps around against the gulf and you get some decent views. It nerve~racking though because every shot you fear your release might be slightly off and your frisbee is forever consumed by the sea. Speaking of, we actually found a frisbee floating along the shore from someone else’s horrible shot. I wasn’t man enough to get into the nasty polluted swamp water but Dennis was and his reward was a new frisbee.

Overall it was a great day in the sun. I am not sure that I am the frisbee golfer or maybe it was the 18 holes that got me. Golf(and Frolf) courses should be around 12 holes cause thats about the point I am over it. Other than that within a month or so I think I will be ready for another round with the guys.