Practice doesn’t make perfect…

…but sometimes it makes good enough. At least it did last night.

As I’ve mentioned, recently I have rededicated myself to the sport of darting. Well, what I mean is that I’m practicing daily at home. And I’ve had some pretty amazing practice sessions. Sadly, they haven’t seemed to carry over in competition. But in last night’s singles tournament I could feel the difference. Although still too inconsistent, I was hitting big scores and throwing my double-out shots better. Most importantly, I was throwing with more confidence which probably explains the better play over all.

Last night was probably the best I’ve played in years. And I needed every good throw I managed. I beat some damn fine players along the way and then came back through the loser’s bracket to beat the guy who put me there for the championship. I really enjoyed the challenge and had a lot of fun playing again as well. Let’s see if I can build on this success and take it to the next level.

Speaking of winning, I had another success this morning. Let’s tell that story in photos, shall we?

As commenter Kevin Kim suggested, I renewed my quest for the elusive path from Alta Vista to Rizal Extension by working the trail backwards. The end of the beginning if you will. Here’s where the pavement of Rizal turns to soil.
And here’s the beginning (or end) of the path.
And once again, I used the valley as a reference point, knowing it needed to stay to my right (from this direction anyway).
The trail is not a bad one, but you do have to stay alert and watch your step…
Last time I came to this junction I took the path to the right and it led me down into the valley near Marian Hills. Close, but not my desired destination. Left it is then!
Walkin’ in tall cotton. Er, grass or whatever that shit is. Shoulder height on me. The worse thing is that it makes it hard to see where you are putting down your feet, which can be perilous.
I remembered from previous attempts that I need to keep the fence on my left…
Yonder is where I don’t want to be. That’s the area Rizal Extension runs through. Earlier attempts have twice taken me in a big circle dumping me back near where I had started. Want to avoid that fiasco if I can.
Alright, I’ve gone wrong here before . There are three different trails running through the grounds of this fine estate. I’ve done the left one and the right one without success. So going with the center route was a no-brainer today…
My old nemesis razor wire. Stepped over the barbs this time without incident.
Another house and yard with barking dogs. It always feels like I’m intruding as I walk past. Kept going straight, judging the path to the left as going back from whence I came.
And there in the distance is my destination–the lovely Alta Vista subdivision I call home. Now just how do I get there from here?
Decisions, decisions. My flawed sense of direction said turn right, and so I did. Will it lead me home?
I enjoy rocky road ice cream. This path? Not so much.
Getting back to my roots.
One false step and I’m screwed big time. Obviously since I’m writing this post, my step was true…

And then suddenly it was all looking familiar. Could it be? Could it finally be?

Why yes! Success at last!
No pain, no gain. Actually, didn’t feel this at the time although I suspect it happened in the tall grass. Those blades can be rather sharp…

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me until the quest was done.

Oh, and I just noticed that this is post number 3001 here at LTG. Talk about coming along on a journey! Thanks for joining me. Having readers of my ramblings is both quite humbling and very surprising. But it means a lot. I appreciate your support!

2 thoughts on “Practice doesn’t make perfect…

  1. This is a true victory, sir, and this is how you navigate. Perseverance pays off. I’ll be hoisting a non-alcoholic mug in your honor tonight, that’s for sure.

    Great post. Bask in your victory, rest on your laurels a bit, then go back out and pound the fuck out of that trail. It’s your bitch now.

    Question: you gonna name it? It starts and ends at your place, right?
    “McCrarey’s Loop” has a nice ring to it, although in salty-tongued Hash parlance, that might morph into “McCrarey’s Cock Ring.”

  2. Hmm, it’s not a true loop, although I could easily improvise one (i.e. Marian Hills to Alta Vista). I actually like just calling it “my bitch”, as in, “I’m gonna walk my bitch today and see what happens”. I will be incorporating this trail into my routine, likely on one of my “long walk” days.

    Thanks for your suggestions and support!

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