i was better on the back nine; which is to be expected as i've been off for about 6 weeks and was trying out a new grip for the first time. i need to get out more and practice on a regular basis (as john irving writes in hotel new hampshire; "you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed", although he wasn't writing about golf at the time, it sure is applicable). on a  brighter side, i hardly had to read about saddam or the un or osama today as the giant snow on the east coast (and the nightclub fire in chicago) took over the news, at least for today. here's hoping it snows some more:)