Bridge Blog 1034: Half past August

I can’t believe how hard it’s been lately to find some clear time and a clear head for blogging. It’s occurred to me that the only way to open up an opportunity is to … not play bridge. Oh, no. Out of the question.

However, if it wasn’t for the air-conditioning, I might as well have skipped the first week of the month. A series of minor shortfalls and a couple major setbacks – 45.50%, 46.43%, 48.49%, an even 50%, 36.01% and 38.19% – all adding up to zero points.

Meanwhile, as of Aug. 1, I’m 75 points short of hitting a major goal in my bridge existence – Gold Life Master. To attain that exalted status before New Year’s Eve, it’s going to take 15 points per month. That bad week may have derailed me.

The second week brought blessed relief.

June Feuerstein and I tied for second in our direction on Wednesday, Aug. 8, with 51.49%. 1.04 points.

More success Thursday with Brian Block, with a game that ordinarily would have been unproductive – 47.92%. Nevertheless, second in the B strat in our direction for 0.74 of a point.

In St. Catharines, Ont., on Friday, Selina Volpatti and I tied for third North-South with 54.76%. Not an extra-point game there like there is at the Airport Bridge Club, where I play all the rest of the time, but good for 0.68 of a point.

Even the Unit 116 picnic on Sunday (see Blog 1033) had its slight reward. A 50.39% with Florence Boyd in the morning session was good for 0.19 of a point.

The big score, however, came Monday with Judie Bailey. We were in tournament form – 58.76% – first North-South, second overall, 2.67 points.

Then another dry patch until Saturday with Denise Slattery, slipping into third place in the B strat with a 50.46% game and earning 1.04 points. Total so far this month – 6.36. Eleven more chances to pick up nine more points.